









^ 






.*^% 












^^V 



• » " 4V 






"b 




" AV -'«^ "^ ^^- . . ^ » » " . V -^ •' ^ A.'' 

^' t<. v^ /jAWa"- "^^ c^ *^ 










^ A"il 

° -» "^o A<*^ . ^ " -» '^^ n^ , <"'»-» '^Q 



A^^^'V 






<^ 



3^ .™^ Il\\\V\^s. V V 




REMINISCENCES 

OF 

The Civil War 



Compiled from the War Correspondence of 

COLONEL WILLIAM P. LYON 

and from personal letters and diary 
By 

MRS. ADELIA C. LYON 



Published by 

WILLIAM P. LYON. JR. 

1907 



E. 



•Un 



ri:?,«~ftRY of COf«RESs| 
\m Cootes Ktealvad "^ 

AUG 18 iy07 
CepyneM Entry , 

CLASS A >^5^C., No. 

COPY b. 



COPYRIGHTEn, 1907, BY 
ADELIA C. LYON 



PRESS OF MUIRSON & WRIGHT 
SAN JOSE. CALIFORNIA 



DEDICATION 




ALL the brave boys of the Thirteenth 
Regiment of Wisconsin Volunteers, and 
of Company K of the Eagle Regiment, 
who consecrated their lives with patri- 
otic devotion to the cause of their 
country, this record of some of their 
labors, perils and sacrifices for the pres- 
ervation of the Union, is dedicated with 
tender affection and gratitude by one 
who witnessed their heroic fidelity to 
duty and who was the grateful recipient of many 
thoughtful acts of kindness on their part when, for many 
months, she shared with them the privations and vicissi- 
tudes of army life endured by soldiers in active service. 



INTRODUCTORY 




ir~^ ir~3ERE this publication intended to add an- 

J V^^^^V/ J^ other volume to the long and ever in- 
J^, Afe .411 creasing list of books relating to our 
civil war of 1861-65, and the actors 
therein, written for general circulation, 
some reasonable cause therefor would 
justly be due a patient public. But such is not the pur- 
pose and intent of the publication. 

My husband served as an officer in the Union army 
during the war. The first year he commanded Com- 
pany K of the 8th Eegiment, and the three years fol- 
lowing he commanded the 13th Regiment, both of the 
Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and was in active ser- 
vice in the field during the whole time. The matter 
contained in this publication is taken mostly from his 
letters to me written while he was doing duty in the 
South. 

It was my good fortune to be permitted to visit my 
husband several times during the war, remaining with 
him and his command several months at a time in Ten- 
nessee and Alabama, and for a less time in Missouri. I 
was thus with the army in those states about a year and 
a half in all. 

I have compiled in this volume some of my own let- 
ters to relatives and friends written while with the 
army, and others written by my husband to the same 
parties; also certain entries in my diary made during 
such visits. 

Nearly all the letters which furnish material for the 
following pages were written in camp or on the march, in 
the hurry and tumult of active military service in the 
field, under numerous adverse conditions inseparable 
from such service, and without a thought that their 



INTRODUCTORY. 



contents would ever be given to the public. Many of 
the statements therein were necessarily made upon re- 
ports, the accuracy of which there was no opportunity 
to verify; and some of the opinions therein expressed 
may have been the result of imperfect knowledge o* 
the situation. It is too late now to attempt their cor- 
rection or to verify their accuracy. Hence such state- 
ments, when not verified by the writer's personal 
knowledge, and such opinions, must be taken subject to 
all infirmities in the evidence upon which they were 
made or formed. 

My purpose is to present a copy of this publication 
to each surviving comrade of my husband who served 
with him in the war as a member of either of his im- 
mediate commands, who desires to have it. This pur- 
pose will be executed not because the volume has much 
intrinsic value, but in grateful recognition of the life- 
long affection those veteran comrades have constantly 
manifested for their old commander ; and for their un- 
ceasing kindness to me and solicitude for my personal 
welfare and comfort when I was with them in the field 
of service— a witness of their patriotism, courage and 
fidelity to duty. I trust that this little souvenir will be 
accepted by them as an evidence that all of their kind- 
ness to us is appreciated and their affection tenderly 
reciprocated. 

I have only to add that this publication has been 
made possible only by the valuable aid given me by our 
daughter, Mrs. J. O. Hayes (Clara Lyon), of Eden Vale, 
California, who has done much of the editorial work 
required in its preparation. 

Pursuant to a suggestion made by her, some public 
addresses delivered by her father several years ago are 
inserted herein as an appendix. 

Adelia C. Lyon. 




COLONEL WILLIAM P. LYON 

Racine, IVisconsin, 1863 



REMINISCENCES 

OF THE 

CIVIL WAR 




The Experiences of 
William P. Lyon and Wife 

S SOON as the news of the battle and 
disaster at Bull Run was received a pub- 
lic war meeting of the citizens of Racine, 
Wisconsin, was held, which was largely 
attended. The company previously 
raised at Racine was in the battle and 
had been seriously crippled by the loss 
of many of its men. At this meeting a fund was sub- 
scribed to aid in the fitting out of additional troops. 
Resolutions were adopted, one of which was that it was 
the duty of the city of Racine to furnish another com- 
pany of volunteers. Mr. McMynn, Mr. Bartlett and Mr. 
Lyon were appointed a committee to receive enlistments 
and form a company. The three headed the roll Avith 
their own names, which were soon followed by many 
others. 

An effort was also being made to form a company 
in Walworth county. Those who had enlisted there, 
hearing of the effort to raise a new company in Racine 
county, came to Racine and joined the local company, 
and the quota was thus speedily filled. Mr. Lyon was 
elected Captain of the Company, Hon. Albert E. Smith, 
of Delavan, First Lieutenant, and Mr. J. O. Bartlett, 
Second Lieutenant. In the meantime Mr. McMynn had 



KEMINISOENCES 



accepted a commission as Major of the 10th Wisconsin, 
of which regiment he afterwards became Colonel. 

The company thus recruited and organized tendered 
its services to the Governor and was accepted; its of- 
ficers thus elected were commissioned as such, and the 
company was ordered to proceed to Camp Randall at 
Madison to join the 8th Regiment of Wisconsin Volun- 
teer Infantry, then in process of organization at that 
place, of which it was to be a part. The company im- 
mediately proceeded to Madison and was mustered into 
the service of the United States as Company "K" of that 
regiment. 

After remaining a few weeks at Camp Randall 
under instruction in military tactics, the regiment was 
ordered to St. Louis. Its movements and services 
thereafter while Captain Lyon remained a member of it 
are detailed in the following pages : 

CAPTAIN LYON TO THE RACINE ADVOCATE. 

"Camp of Instruction, Benton Barracks, 

St. Louis, Mo., Oct. 15, 1861. 

"Messrs. Editors: On Saturday evening last our 
regiment struck tents at Camp Randall and started for 
the seat of war. We reached Chicago at 4 o'clock p. m. ; 
left there at about 8 o'clock p. m. ; arrived at Illinois 
Town, opposite St. Louis, at 8 o'clock Sunday evening, 
and the next morning crossed the river; marched some 
four or five miles through the city in a northwest direc- 
tion, and arrived at this camp a little before noon. 

"Our journey here was a very pleasant one. The 
weather was fine, and we were greeted by people along 
the whole route, and especially for the last one hundred 
miles of it and in this city, with much enthusiasm. We 
had what the newspapers call 'a brilliant reception,' in 
Chicago. It consisted mainly in being stared at by a 



OF THE CIVIL WAR 



large number of people, some few of whom cheered us 
as we marched through the city. 

"Siinday was a balmy, beautiful day — very beau- 
tiful — and we traversed all day long a magnificent 
country, and as we gazed upon it and remembered that 
Illinois has sent, and is sending forth, 50,000 of her 
sons to do battle in the sacred cause of Liberty and 
Good Government, we felt that we were in a glorious 
state — in a state which, when the history of these times 
is written, will figure conspicuously and honorably 
upon its pages. 

"This camp is pleasantly located on high, level 
ground, embracing se\'eral hundred acres, including the 
grounds of the Missouri State Agricultural Society, in 
the west part of the city, and, I am told, also including 
within its limits the celebrated Camp Jackson, where 
Lyon and Blair captured Claib. Jackson's rebel state 
troops last spring. 

''Yesterday was a very warm day, as warm, I think, 
as the last 4th of July in Racine, and the men suffered 
much on the march to camp, burdened as they were 
with their overcoats, canteens, haversacks, knapsacks 
and guns ; but they stood it very well, and last evening 
many of them were dancing in their quarters so briskly 
that a bystander would scarcely believe that they had 
on the same day performed a fatiguing march of several 
miles through the heated, dusty streets of a city, and 
that, too, at the end of a journey of 400 miles. The mem- 
bers of our company are all well, or nearly so. At least 
we have none in the hospital, and no case of serious ill- 
ness. 

"11 a. m. — We have just received orders to take five 
days' rations and 20 ball cartridges, and to leave here 
at 9 o'clock tomorrow morning. The right wing of the 
regiment goes at 4 o'clock this afternoon. Where our 
destination is, and what we have to do when we get 



REMINISCENCES 



there, we know nothing about; but you will hear from 
us again. The men are delighted with the prospect of 
immediate service, which they testify by loud shouts and 
cheers. Busy preparations for departure are going on 
throughout the regiment, and I must bring this hastily 
written communication to a close. 

Wm. p. Lyon." 



LETTERS PROM OAPT. LYON TO MRS. LYON. 

"De Soto— October 17, 1861. 

"We are forty miles from St. Louis, southwest, and 
just leaving for Pilot Knob, forty- two miles farther 
southwest. We are in 'Secessia.' Last night we slept on 
the ground with our arms by us. We had the whole regi- 
ment in line three times during the night, by reason of 
alarms. By reason of this practice we could form the 
line in three minutes. A bridge on a railroad we traveled 
on was burned on Monday by the rebels, and they had a 
little fight there with a small guard from the 11th Wis- 
consin, one killed on our side. I do not believe the enemy 
are near us in force. Where we go there will be four or 
five thousand troops when we get there." 

"Pilot Knob, Saturday, Oct. 19, 1861.— We arrived 
here on Thursday afternoon. This place is ninety miles 
soutlyvest of St. Louis. Ironton is only two miles from 
here. The country is rough, wild and mountainous. Pilot 
Knob is a conical hill, rising some eight hundred feet 
above us. There are also extensive lead mines in the 
vicinity. I wrote you at De Soto, forty miles from here. 
We came on to where the bridge across Big River was 
burned, and my company and another were sent on here 
in advance of the rest of the regiment. Col. Murphy, 
who was with us, had a telegram from here saying the 



OF THE CIVIL AVAR 



rebels were advancing on this place. We hurried up, 
the train running with frightful velocity, and when we 
got here the inhabitants were running from the place to 
the hills and everybody said a battle was being fought 
three or four miles out. We expected to be sent right 
on. It was concluded, however, that we should wait for 
the balance of the regiment, which had been sent for in 
great haste. Before they arrived we learned the facts 
about the fight. It was a mere skirmish, some twenty 
miles from here, between three hundred Indiana cavalry 
stationed here and a detachment of cavalry from the 
rebel army. Five or six men wounded on our side, none 
killed. Several reported killed on the other side. 

"There are about four thousand troops here. The 
men are all anxious to fight. It is impossible to foretell 
our future movements. Do not be disturbed by any 
newspaper reports about us. One of the St. Louis papers 
yesterday puts us in a battle here and has us badly cut 
up. That is a fair specimen of their accuracy. I was in 
more danger on the cars Thursday than I shall be in any 
battle. When I see the misery and suffering which 1 see 
this war causes here, I thank God that you are all in 
peaceful homes and that the trials and perils of the con- 
test, so far as you are concerned, can be borne by me 
alone." 

"Pilot Knob, Mo., Oct. 25, 1861.— Were ordered to 
Frederickstown (25 miles southeast of here). Marched 
all night through a mountainous country. We were 
after Jeff Thompson, who had a large force. Our force 
was nearly 5,000 strong. When we got there we found 
that Jeff had left the day before and gone south. We 
were joined here by 1,500 Illinois troops from Cape Gir- 
ardeau. Our regiment was on the left flank, the second 
post of honor, so on the march would, of course, be in 
the rear. The head of the column met the rebels about 
three-quarters of a mile from town, and just as our regi- 



REMINISCENCES 



ment was starting. The rebels had gone on ten miles 
south, were reinforced and returned, and took a position 
at that point to fight us. They were 5,000 to 7,000 strong. 

"The fight opened immediately at the head of the 
column and we started on a double quick for the battle 
field. When about half way to the scene of action we 
were ordered to act as a reserve. The firing continued 
about half an hour where the battle commenced, then 
gradually receded, showing that the rebels were retreat- 
ing. The battle was fought mostly by artillery and cav- 
alry, but one regiment of infantry being under fire, the 
21st Illinois. Our forces pursued the rebels several 
miles. The grand result of the fight is that we killed at 
least 300 of them. Our forces found and buried 242, and 
large numbers were carried off by them. A great many 
were wounded and taken prisoners. Two pieces of artil- 
lery were also taken. Our loss is eight killed and thirty- 
three wounded. The defeat was total, breaking up their 
army and cleaning out this whole section of the state. 
One of their principal officers. Col. Lowe, was killed. 

"We moved south 10 miles on Tuesday, but we as- 
certained that there was nolBody in this section to fight 
us, so on \^^ednesday we returned to Frederickstown, and 
yesterday returned here. We have slept in tents but two 
nights since we left St. Louis, yet I never slept better in 
my life than I have some of these nights in the open air. 
The days are hot and the nights are cold, yet we do not 
take cold. 

"Our regiment is No. 1. The men started for the 
battle with the utmost enthusiasm and were terribly dis- 
appointed when they found the rebels were retreating 
without giving us a chance at them. Our position was 
such that had the force first engaged met a reverse, we 
should have had the brunt of the fight. The rebels were 
poorly armed, which accounts for the great difference 
of loss on our side and theirs. We found a great manv 



OF THE CIVIL WAK 



bodies on our march on Tuesday, one badly eaten by 
bogs. Another was shot just as he was getting over a 
fence, and his body was stiffened in that condition. We 
buried them. 

"Our march was through a rugged country, hilly, 
rocky, and almost mountainous. We have returned here, 
but don't know how long we shall stay. Our men are 
footsore, but otherwise well. Today received your first 
letter. Was overjoyed to get it. 

"You ask me how I felt when going into battle. It 
is hard to analyze my feelings. I did not forget the dan- 
ger to myself, but I was cool and self-possessed. The pre- 
dominant thought was that probably many of the brave 
men who followed me would never return, and I won- 
dered — if I came out alive — over which of them the scald- 
ing tears would fall ere the sun should set. The roar of 
artillery, the rattling of musketry, and the sight of 
wounded and dead men was very solemn. It was neces- 
sary, however, and I take my full share of responsibility ; 
although, of course, none fell by my hand." 

"Nov. 5, 1861. — We are ordered to march to Green- 
ville. I think there will be no fighting — just to show the 
Secesh that we are about. I expect that we shall be gone 
10 or 12 days." 



CAPTAIN LYON TO RACINE ADVOCATE. 

"Greenville, Wayne Co., Mo. 

Tuesday, Nov. 12, 1861. 
"Editor Advocate : By looking at the map you will 
see that this place is about 40 miles south of Pilot Knob, 
and nearly west of Cairo. In company with a detach- 
ment of some 300 of Col. Baker's 1st Indiana Cavalry, a 
battery of artillery from Col. Blair's 1st Missouri Regi- 



REMINISCENCES 



ment, under command of Capt. Manter, and the 21st 
Regiment of Illinois Volunteers, Col. Alexander, we left 
Pilot Knob on the 5th inst. for the purpose of paying 
our respects to a rebel force reported to have gathered 
at Bloomfield, the county seat of Stoddard county, dis- 
tant from this place fifty miles in a southeast direction. 

"We arrived here on the 7th, and on the 8th and 9th 
(Friday and Saturday) marched to the Indian Ford, 25 
miles, in the northeast part of Butler county, on the St. 
Francis river. On Sunday morning we were ordered to 
turn back and retrace our steps, and we arrived at this 
place again at 10 o'clock this morning, having marched 
ninety miles in a week. It is understood that the com- 
mander of the expedition received reliable intelligence 
that the rebels had dispersed, which rendered it unneces- 
sary to proceed to Bloomfield. 

"On our arrival here we met the Illinois 38th, which 
had been ordered to follow us. We expect to remain here 
a few days and then return to Pilot Knob, from whence, 
it is generally believed, we shall soon go to Kentucky. 

"Our first two days' march was through a rugged, 
mountainous and sterile country; the last three wa» 
through a better country, yet we saw but few farms 
which a Wisconsin man would consider worth cultivat- 
ing. The surface, except in a few narrow valleys, seems 
to be underlaid with rock and uncultivable. Timber of 
all kinds is plentiful. 

"Everything is perfectly stagnant. The dwellings 
are the worst kind of log houses, except in the villages, 
and you see no barns, no carriages, no farming imple- 
ments, even, of any account. I have seen but one barn 
worthy the name during the whole march. You may 
travel all day here, probably, without meeting a settler 
who can read or write. 

"A resident here, a gentleman of intelligence, con- 
versing on this subject, illustrated the ignorance of the 



OF THE CIVIL WAR 9 

masses by relating to me an anecdote of a member of 
the Legislature from this county who was asked to state 
the population of his county. He replied, 'Coonskins 
and peltry.' 'I do not mean the products of your county/ 
said his interrogator, 'I want to know the census of it.' 
'Oh, you mean the senses, do you?' replied the Honorable 
Member, 'why, they are mostly d — d fools !' 

"Greenville is the county seat of Wayne county, and 
has been such for 35 years. It is very pleasantly situ- 
ated on the St. Francis river, and contains buildings suf- 
ficient for a population of about 100. In common with 
all the villages in this county, however, it is nearly de- 
serted. Hardee made it his headquarters for several 
weeks in the summer, when the Union men fled ; and now 
that we occupy the place, 'Secesh' has to do the same 
thing. 

"Most of the people, however, are passive. They are 
for the Union now, and doubtless when the rebels were 
here they were on the other side; and after seeing them 
we think it is of but little consequence which side they 
are on. 

"Our troops respect the rights of property, taking 
comparatively little without compensation. The truth of 
history' compels me to admit, however, that a process 
which the soldiers call 'jerking' has been indulged in to 
a trifling extent, when we were in the neighborhood of 
pigs and chickens, and rations were scarce. 

"We are having the measles extensively in the 8tli. 
We left three of our company at Pilot Knob just getting 
over this disease, and have several with us who were at- 
tacked after we left there. It is of a mild type, however. 
Those who have this disease, or have had it, are Mack, 
Olp, Lowe, Humphrey, McPherson, Dunham and Oster- 
lough. Their relatives need not be uneasy about them, as 
they are well cared for and are not dangerously sick. 

"The weather is very warm and dry. At Pilot Knob, 



10 REMINISCENCES 

which you know is amongst the mountains, the nights 
were invariably cold ; but here in a lower region they are 
comfortably warm. Indeed, it seems more like Septem- 
ber than November. We pitch our tents every night and 
sleep upon the ground, with nothing but our rubber cloth 
under us and our blankets over us, and our sleep is sound 
and refreshing. We eat our Pilot bread or hard tack 
and pork with a keen relish, and we give up the comforts 
and luxuries of our homes with much less of regret, and 
adapt ourselves to our new mode of life much more eas- 
ily than we supposed possible. 

"I neglected to mention that our camp at Pilot Knob 
and about 200 of our regiment are left under the com- 
mand of Lieut. Bartlett during our absence. 

"Dr. Murta takes this to Pilot Knob, where he goes 
to make arrangements for the accommodation of our sick 
men. The doctor labors day and night in the discharge 
of his duties, and his services are invaluable to the regi- 
ment. 

Respectfully, 

Wm. p. Lyon." 



LETTERS FROM CAPT. LYON TO MRS. LYON. 

"Pilot Knob, Nov. 15, 1861. — We have just returned 
from our expedition, making a march of 135 miles in 11 
days. We went south to Greenville, the county seat of 
Wayne county; and then 25 miles farther southeast to 
the St. James river, only 25 miles from the Arkansas line. 
We have been here just four weeks, and have marched 
16 days, and over 200 miles, in the time. 

"I assure you that I have an abiding faith that I 
shall return to you well and sound, our lives made all 
the happier by the consciousness that I have discharged 
my duty to my country in the hour of her peril." 



OF THE CIVIL WAR 11 

"Nov. 19. — Nothing of interest today or since I 
wrote. I celebrated the fourteenth anniversary of our 
wedding yesterday by going dressed up all day and by 
smoking the best cigars I could get." 



EXTRACT FROM LETTER TO THE RACINE ADVOCATE. 

"Pilot Knob, Mo., Nov. 21, 1861.— On the 5th inst., 
in company with the 21st Regiment of Illinois Volun- 
teers, the 1st Indiana Cavalry, and Capt. Manter's Bat- 
tery of artillery, we left our camp on an expedition to 
disperse a body of armed rebels said to have collected 
in Bloomfleld, in Stoddard county, about 100 miles 
southeast of this place. 

"We marched through Greenville, Wayne county, to 
the Indian Ford across the St. Francis river, in the 
northeast part of Butler county, and about 25 miles 
west of Bloomfield, where we learned that the rebels had 
already been dispersed by a force from Cape Girardeau. 
We accordingly took our our line of march for this place, 
where we arrived on the 15th inst. 

"The country through which we passed is very wild 
and mountainous, and but thinly settled. The majority 
of the people are very stupid, ignorant, dirty, and, of 
course, poor. They are probably a fair specimen of the 
^poor whites' of the South. It was rarely that we found 
one outside of the villages who could read and write. 
Many of them had been made to believe that the Federal 
troops wherever they went indulged in indiscriminate 
rapine, violence and murder, and, of course, these de- 
luded people were secessionists; but when they found 
themselves kindly treated by our troops, their property 
and all of their rights protected, they straightway be- 
came good Union people. With the exception of a few 



12 REMINISCENCES 

leaders, there is no inveterate hostility to the Govern- 
ment in the minds of the inhabitants here; and when 
they are disabused in relation to the objects of this war 
and the purposes of the Government, they return read- 
ily and cheerfully to their allegiance. 

"We see much discussion in the papers relative to 
the removal of Major-General Fremont, some of them 
predicting disaster and ruin to the Union cause as the 
result of it. It is proper for me to say that, so far as I 
can judge (and I have some opportunities to learn the 
feeling of the army in Missouri on that subject) the army 
acquiesces in the action of the Government without com- 
plaint. We believe here that the success of our cause 
does not depend upon the rise or fall of any man or set 
of men, but, under God, upon the justice of our cause 
and the courage and fortitude of the hundreds of thou- 
sands of men who are now in the field defending that 
cause. In those we trust, and not in the genius of any 
one man ; and we are ready to do battle under such com- 
manders as the Administration of our own choice may 
place over us. 

"In closing this rather desultory communication, I 
will only add that the men are in excellent spirits and in 
good flighting trim, and their most earnest desire is that 
they be sent where they can do their part toAvards crush- 
ing out this rebellion. When the record of this war is 
made up, be assured that it will be found that the 8th 
Eegiment has done its whole duty. 

Respectfully yours, 

Wm. p. Lyon." 



OF THE CIVIL WAR 13 

TO MRS. LYON. 

"Nov. 27, 1861. — Good news. Col. Murphy is going 
to send me home on recruiting service. I shall be with 
you in a few days." 

"Sulphur Springs, Mo., Dec. 1, 1861. — The arrange- 
ments are not completed yet, but progressing. There is 
every reasonable probability that I shall be detailed on 
this service. The service is very distasteful to me. The 
prospect of returning home atones for the irksomeness 
of the service. I see by your letters that you are worry- 
ing about me. Now I tell you that I am perfectly com- 
fortable physically. I have a good boarding place, at 
|3.00 a week. I sleep in my tent and never slept better. 
I have a feather bed, given to me at Indian Ford by one 
of the teamsters, who, I presume, stole it. I have plenty 
of blankets and straw. I enjoy the company of the of- 
ficers. I have never regretted for one moment that I en- 
tered the service ; and had I not done so, with my present 
views of duty I would volunteer tomorrow. The idea of 
personal danger to me, which haunts you so much, does 
not disturb me at all. You must be brave. You must 
be a true woman, for remember you are a soldier's wife. 
Let us both be willing to peril all, if necessary, in the 
discharge of our duty." 

"Sulphur Springs, Mo., Dec. 6, 1861.— I fear I shall 
be unable to come home. General Halleck has issued 
orders that all officers be with their regiments. See Mrs. 
Bartlett and tell her to hold herself in readiness to come 
here with you on two days' notice. The weather is as 
warm as June." 

"Dec. 8. — I can not come home. We want you to 
start on Thursday. Come as soon as you can." 



J 4 REMINISCENCES 

We started the next week on Tuesday. I had to go 
to the military headquarters in Chicago to get our trans- 
portation. We stayed in St. Louis all night. We ar- 
rived in Victoria a few days before Christmas and met 
with a warm reception. The regiment had been sent to 
Victoria from Sulphur Springs to guard a number of 
bridges on the Iron Mountain Railroad, after they sent 
for us. 

Mrs. Bartlett and I went out and bought chickens 
and potatoes for a Christmas dinner for Company K. 
The boys were very happy to be remembered. We were 
at a pretty fair hotel and had more comforts than we 
expected to have. Our babies were great pets. John 
Humphrey would often come and borrow my baby and 
take him out to the company. He told me that some of 
the men shed tears when they kissed him. 

The regiment remained at Victoria until about Jan. 
12. Our husbands went to Sulphur Springs with us, 
and we stayed there a couple of days. They were ordered 
to Cairo. We left them at Sulphur Springs. The regi- 
ment moved a few days after. The boat they were 
going on got on a sand bar, so they went by railroad. 



TO MRS. LYON. 



"Cairo, Sat., Jan. 18, 1862. — We arrived here last 
night, slept in the cars, and have this moment taken 
possession of the barracks. Do not know when we shall 
go. It rained, thundered and lightened all night. The 
storms here are terrific. I never saw mud before. It is 
sublime beyond description. The mud here is ankle 
deep everywhere off the sidewalks, and you may judge 
what sort of traveling it is." 

"Cairo, Sun., Jan. 19, 1862. — Cairo is on a very low 



OF THE CIVIL WAK 15 

peninsula at the junction of two rivers, and has a levee 
all around it to protect it in high water, the surface 
being some feet below high water mark. Cairo contains 
about 2,000 inhabitants I think, but how they live here is 
more than I can tell. The business of the place is all 
done on the Ohio river, which appears nearly as large as 
the Mississippi. 

"The troops that have already left here are back of 
Columbus somewhere, and have done no fighting yet. 
Some of the gunboats have gone down the river and 
there are seven here, all finished but one, and that is 
nearly done. I can not tell you anything about what is 
to be done; and, indeed, we know but little about what 
i^' going on all around us. We rely upon Chicago papers 
fcr intelligence mainly. 

"Columbus is only twenty miles from here, and of 
course is to be taken ; but when, and who is to do it, I do 
not know. The ragged 8th expects to have a hand in it, 
however, when the thing is to be done. The companies 
are in barracks and in the best of spirits. Barracks 
comfortable." 

"Cairo, Wednesday p. m., Jan. 22, 1862. — The boys 
are all in good health and spirits. The mud has dried up 
so that it is comfortable getting about on foot. A 
steamer that passed Sulphur Springs the next evening 
after you left there, with a regiment, the 55th Illinois, 
on board, has just arrived here. Wouldn't we have had 
a nice time had we got off on a steamboat? 

"We are very well situated. The boys have fixed up 
the barracks (each company has a building by itself) 
so that they are very comfortable. Our quarters at one 
end are almost as good as a parlor. We have three coal 
stoves, one in the quarters and two in the barracks, and 
have no difficulty in keeping dry and warm. 

"We are gratified with the victory at Somerset, Ky., 
over Zollicoffer. It shows how western men fight. We 



16 REMINISCENCES 

shall whip them every time we meet them on anything 
like equal terms — up west here. Deserters from below 
say that the rebels fear and dread the Northwestern 
troops. When the grand expedition starts down the 
Mississippi the blows will fall thick and fast and most 
effectually on secession." 

"Camp Cairo, Cairo, 111., Sunday a. m., Jan. 26, 
1862. — The weather is fine, mud all dried up, and we 
drill every day four hours. The health of the men is 
good, except some diarrhoea occasioned by drinking the 
river water. This water looks like weak coffee with milk 
in it, it is so muddy, but it tastes very well. I do not 
drink any of it. My drink is almost entirely coffee. I 
keep out of the night air and take every possible care of 
my health, and with entire success. When warm weather 
comes there will be a good deal of ague here." 

"Feb. 2, 1862. — Large numbers of troops, several 
regiments of General McClernand's Brigade, leave here 
today for Smithland, at the mouth of the Cumberland 
river. It is supposed they will go on an expedition up 
the Cumberland river. We were attached to this 
brigade, but I now learn we are to be attached to Gen- 
eral Paine's Brigade. He is in command at Bird's Point, 
just across the Mississippi river, in Missouri. 

"Our fear now is that the fight will come off at 
Bowling Green before we start, and if the rebels are de- 
feated there they may retreat from Columbus without 
giving us battle. We really want a turn with them at 
Columbus." 

"Cairo, Sunday, Feb. 9, 1862. — Since writing to you 
there has been a battle and victory at Fort Henry, on 
the Tennessee river. The battle was fought on our side 
by the gunboats, our infantry taking no part in It. We 
are not stationed here permanently. We were only left 
because we had not our blue uniforms.* We have them 

* When the soldiers enlisted, gray uniforms were furnished by the 



OP THE CIVIL WAR 17 

DOW. But for this we should doubtless have been at Fort 
Henry. The boys are much disappointed. We may go 
there yet, as regiments are constantly going up there. I 
suppose they will have another fight in a few days on the 
Cumberland river about fourteen miles east of Fort 
Henry, at Fort Donelson, but we have no orders as yet. 

"I have been for the last two days acting as Presi- 
dent of a Regimental Court Martial for the trial of minor 
offenses. There were twelve cases before us. It takes a 
good deal of evidence in my court to convict." 

"Mound City, 111., Wed. p. m., Feb. 12, 1862.— Last 
night an order was received on dress parade that Com- 
pany K proceed to Mound City and take charge of the 
post. So we went on a steamer this afternoon, and here 
we are." 

"Mound City, Feb. 14, 1862. — Here we are, sepa- 
rated from the regiment for reserve duty again. We are 
to guard a large amount of ammunition. The hospital 
here contains from 600 to TOO patients, with accommo- 
dations for 1,000. Bartlett and I were all through it 
yesterday. Saw the men that were scalded on the Essex. 
They are an awful sight. 

"We are now almost discouraged about getting into 
the field. I hate this reserve duty." 

"Feb. 16, 1862. — We are in a post of honor, and ex- 
cept that it keeps us out of battle would be deemed very 
desirable, but we want a hand in. I suppose that Fort 
Donelson is taken, or will be in a day or two, and then 
the backbone of this rebellion will be broken up west 
here. A part of our regiment went to Paducah, I hear, 
as a bodyguard for General Sherman, who I understand 
has gone up there." 

"Mound City, Monday noon, Feb. 17, 1862.— The 
regiment is now all at Cairo except Company K and 

state. This caused confusion because the Confederates also wore 
gray uniforms — hence the change. 



18 REMINISCENCES 



about 100 men who, with Col. Murphy, went yesterday 
to Alton with the prisoners taken at Fort Henry. They 
are having a desperate fight at Fort Donelson, on the 
Cumberland river. General Paine came down yester- 
day, bringing intelligence that we have already lost 
2,000 killed and wounded, among whom are several Il- 
linois Colonels and other officers. Several gunboats came 
down from there last night and this morning; but, not 
stopping here, we got no news from above. 

"There has been heavy firing at Cairo within an 
hour. At first we thought the place had been attacked 
from Columbus, but as it ceased all at once we have con- 
cluded that they had heard that we had taken Fort Don- 
eJson and were firing a national salute in honor of the 
victory. The boys chafed like chained lions when they 
heard the firing at Columbus this morning." 

"Evening. — It is true that Fort Donelson is taken, 
and with it 10,000 to 15,000 prisoners. The backbone of 
this rebellion is broken. Now for Columbus and home I 
Our hearts bound as we begin to see the end of this war." 

"Mound City, 111., Wed. p. m., Feb. 19, 1862.— There 
has been nothing going on here to break the monotony 
for a few days past except the arrival of a part of the 
wounded from Fort Donelson. These, with those that 
have previously been sent here, make about 400 of them 
at this hospital. A great many of them are severely 
wounded. They seem to be in good spirits. Surgeons 
have flocked in from all about and tendered their serv- 
ices. Some are prisoners. Steamer after steamer heav- 
ily laden with prisoners has gone down the river. I 
really begin to think that the war will be closed in a few 
months; and that, possibly, without the 8th having a 
fight. I tell you, when I see our wounded and maimed 
soldiers it makes me feel as though I wanted one chance 
at the authors of all this misery and suffering. I don't 
believe that I have any apprehension of being hurt." 



OF THE CIVIL WAR 19 

"Feb. 26, 1862. — I moved Saturday to my owti quar- 
ters. Board with a Mrs. Reyburn, whose husband is a 
sutler. My bed is in the parlor, and I have white sheets. 
Everything is as neat as wax and the whole family are 
so solicitous for my comfort it is almost embarrassing. 
1 can tell in a day or two when you had better come. 

"I can give you no idea of our future movements. It 
is supposed that our troops are at Nashville and that 
Tennessee has caved in. We do not think that there will 
be any fight at Columbus or Memphis. Both places are 
expected to surrender soon. Their terrible defeat at 
Uonelson seems to have taken the life out of the rebels. 
W^e have given up all idea of seeing any more fighting. 
The buds and grass are starting and spring is here." 

"March 2, 1862. — Col. Murphy sent orders for 
Company K to be ready for marching. He is trying to 
join an expedition down at New Madrid, which is below 
Columbus, to cut off communication from that point 
down the river. It looks as though they would have a 
fight at Columbus. 

"W^e hear that a large force of our troops is also 
concentrating at Paducah, 50 miles up the Ohio, and 
everything looks like a movement on Columbus. We 
thought after the fall of Donelson that we should get 
Columbus without a fight, but the indications now are 
that the rebels will make a stand there." 

"Mound City, 111., March 5, 1862. — I was down to 
Cairo yesterday, and while there the regiment received 
orders to march to Charlestown, a few miles west of 
Bird's Point. Company K was not included. You are 
glad. Columbus is evacuated, no fight there. The boys 
are hungry for a fight." 



20 KEMINISCENCES 

LETTER TO THE RACINE ADVOCATE. 

"Mound City, 111., March 6, 1862.— I see by your 
paper of last week (a stray copy of which has just 
reached us) that you are under a misapprehension in 
relation to the movement of our regiment. No part of it 
has been at Fort Donelson. Company K was sent to this 
place on the 12th ult. Soon afterwards, and before the 
capture of Donelson, the right wing of the regiment 
went up the Ohio river as far as Paducah as an escort to 
General Paine, returning to Cairo in a day or two. Since 
that time Col. Murphy, with Captains Kedfield and Per- 
kins and a detachment of one hundred men from Com- 
panies A and C, escorted the Port Henry prisoners to 
Alton. Company E, Captain Young, has been to St. 
Louis in charge of a large number of rebel officers, cap- 
tured at Donelson. On Sunday, the 23d ult., a detach- 
ment of three hundred men of the 8th, under command 
of Col. Murphy, went down the river to Columbus, where 
they were met by a flag of truce from the rebels, as al- 
ready stated in the newspapers. 

"These were the only movements made by the 8th 
since we arrived at Cairo, until the 4th inst., when the 
whole regiment, except Company K, was ordered on an 
expedition into the country back of Bird's Point, and 
left Cairo the same evening. We do not know the object 
of the expedition, but suppose that it is to prevent 
marauding parties of rebels in the neighborhood of New 
Madrid from passing north of Bird's Point and attack- 
ing Government transports on the river, large numbers 
of which are constantly moving laden with troops and 
supplies. It is expected that the regiment will return 
to Cairo in a few days. 

"I wish to refer to another matter before I close. I 
learn from the Advocate that Lieut. Gibbons, of Water- 
ford, has resigned and returned home, and that his neigh- 



OF THE CIVIL WAR 21 

bors are indignant at his conduct, charging him with 
cowardice. I fear that the good people of Waterford are 
doing Lieut. Gibbons injustice. There are frequently 
valid reasons why an officer may resign — without loss of 
honor — and when I remember that the Lieutenant saw 
service in Mexico, and knew precisely what he must en- 
counter when he volunteered in the service last summer, 
I can not believe that he is a coward. A coward may 
accidentally get into one war, but I do not believe that 
he would voluntarily go into a second one. Of course, 
I know nothing of the facts, but I trust that public opin- 
ion will not pronounce the terrible judgment of cow- 
ardice upon Lieut. Gibbons without the most convincing 
proofs. 

Respectfully yours, 

W.Ar. P. Lyon." 



TO MRS. LYON. 



"Mound City, Sunday, March 9, 1862. — How lucky 
now that you did not come to me. I got orders last night 
to join the regiment, which is 20 miles west of Bird's 
Point. We are all packed up and expect the boat every 
hour. I presume we shall go to New Madrid. If you 
hear of a fight, keep cool until you have the particulars, 
and then throw up your hat, for we shall whip them." 

"Mound City, March 12, 1862.— We are still here, 
and shall be for some days. There is a new administra- 
tion at Cairo. General Strong has charge, General 
Paine being in the field near New Madrid, and they do 
not know at headquarters anything about the order re- 
lieving us. So if you hear of a fight at New Madrid you 
may be sure (humiliating as it is) that Company K is 
not there." 



22 REMINISCENCES 

''Mound City, March 16, 1862. — We have not gone 
yet. The 8th is at or near New Madrid, and there has 
been some fighting down there. The situation there is 
about this: The rebels have fortified Island No. 10 in 
the Mississippi river, about fifteen miles above New 
Madrid, and occupy it now. They also had a fort at or 
near New Madrid. This fort was commanded by our 
artillery all day last Thursday, and on that night, dur- 
ing a severe thunderstorm we had here, they evacuated 
it and our troops occupied it. We expect every day to 
hear that our gunboats have cleaned out from the island, 
as it is not a strong position. The infantry have had 
but little to do, it being (as I always told you the bat- 
tles along the river would be) an artillery fight. One 
captain in the 10th Illinois was killed by the rebel pick- 
ets on Wednesday night, through his own folly and im- 
prudence, by going unnecessarily near the rebel lines. I 
never shall get killed that way. When I peril my life it 
will be where some good is to be accomplished by it. 
We had a report here on Friday that our regiment had 
been in and got cut up, but I do not believe it has been 
under fire at all." 

"Cairo, March 18, 1862. — They are fighting like fun 
at Island No. 10. No infantry engaged. It is a naval 
battle." 

"Mound City, March 25, 1862. — We are ordered to 
leave here at six this evening to join the regiment, to 
report at Cairo. No fighting where they are." 

"Sikeston, Mo., March 28, 1862.— We are put off 
here at Sikeston to guard a railroad 26 miles west of 
Bird's Point. This is a very pleasant place." 

"March 30, 1862.— JefP Thompson and Pillow both 
had headquarters here last winter and ravaged the coun- 
try. The regiment is still at Mt. Pleasant doing nothing. 
We do not expect to join it until we can go down the 
river. Our forces are cutting a channel through from 



OF THE CIVIL WAK 23 

above Island No, 10, about one-half mile long, which 
leads into a bayou or slough and will give us water com- 
munication to New Madrid without passing the island. « 
Our business here is to take care of a section of the rail- 
road and to help in the trans-shipment from cars to 
wagons of supplies for the army at New Madrid." 

"Sikeston, April 6, 1862. — Company K is ordered to 
join the regiment. One of our gunboats ran past the 
batteries to New Madrid and we hear that our troops 
will cross the river tonight. We do not know whether 
the 8th will be sent across or not. The fighting will 
doubtless commence immediately. We can not possibly 
reach them before Tuesday. Our teams left here this 
morning for the regiment. We can not go until they 
return and until other troops relieve us." 

"Cairo, April 10, 1862. — Since the capture of Island 
No. 10 our regiment has moved to New Madrid and I 
have received orders to join it forthwith. I came from 
Sikeston to make necessary arrangements for leaving. 
We shall march from Sikeston on Saturday. Think we 
shall get through by night. 

"The fighting at No. 10 was all done by the navy 
and artillery. The infantry had nothing to do but look 
on. Not so at Pittsburg Landing. There on the Ten- 
ressee a terrible battle has been fought. Our loss is very 
heavy. The 16th Wisconsin was in the fight. I can get 
no definite intelligence of its fate." 

"April 13, 1862. — We are just starting for the regi- 
ment, which left New Madrid last night, or will this 
morning, to go down the river. We shall catch them the 
first time they stop. 'Forward to Memphis' is the word. 
We are all in capital spirits and our hearts bound with 
exultation at the prospect of diving into the very bowels 
of 'Secessia'." 

"April 15, 1862, on board of steamer, Tiptonville, 
Tenn. — We went to New Madrid and found the regiment 



24 REMINISCENCES 

still there. We went on board this steamer about nine 
o'clock, in comj)any of half a dozen steamers laden with 
troops. We went forty-five miles, nearly to the Arkan- 
sas line, when we met an express boat with orders from 
General Pope to return to the first landing and tie up 
and await orders. So we came back here, fifteen miles 
below New Madrid." 

"April 18, 1862.— We remained at Tiptonville until 
yesterday afternoon, when we started and steamed down 
the river until dark, and then tied up to a tree, and this 
morning ran on down to a point said to be within ten 
miles of Fort Pillow, 20 of Fort Randolph and 70 from 
Memphis. There we were ordered back to New Madrid. 
We do not know the significance of this movement, but 
think the high water in the river prevents present opera- 
tions against Fort Pillow. I think that when we get to 
New Madrid we shall find nearly all of General Pope's 
army there." 

"On Steamer McClellan, New Madrid, Sat., April 
19, 1862. — We take it for granted that we are going up 
to help fight another great battle, and, as I firmly be- 
lieve, achieve a great victory. If we are victorious there 
it opens the road to Memphis, secures the opening of the 
Mississippi with but little more fighting, and virtually 
ends the war in the West. 

"When Chase and I were making speeches at flag 
raisings last spring, we told the ladies they must give 
up fathers and sons, husbands, lovers and brothers to 
their country, although it might wring the heart- 
strings to breaking. You have made this sacrifice with 
thousands of others. Let it be a cheerful sacrifice on 
your part. Believe, as I do, that I shall in due time re- 
turn safely to you and our beloved children, and con- 
sole yourself for my absence with the thought that never 
were men called from kindred, homes and friends, to 



OF THE CIVIL WAR 25 

hardships, privations, dangers and death, in a more sac- 
red cause, 

'I am cheerful all the time, and it is the result of 
an ever-present, undoubting conviction that I am pre- 
cisely where I ought to be. My greatest happiness con- 
sists in doing my duty and indulging in fond anticipa- 
tions of the time when, the war being over, the Govern- 
ment restored, and our work well and faithfully done, I 
shall return to you and our sweet babes, and I will feel 
I am in Eden. God bless you and help you to bear your 
part of the weary burden that this war throws upon you 
with the unfailing courage of a Spartan matron, dread- 
ing more than his death the failing of your loved one to 
do his duty." 

"Five miles above Pittsburg Landing, Miss., April 
22, 1862. — We are still on the boat. I started out this 
morning to find the 16th Wisconsin, and after wading 
five miles, part of the way in mud nearly to my knees, I 
found it, and to my inexpressible joy found 
Sperry [Sperry Northrup, a brother-in-law] alive 
and well. They had a terrible fight on Sunday, the 6th, 
being under fire from sunrise to 5 o'clock p. m., and los- 
ing, killed, wounded and missing, at least 200 men. His 
company went in 59 strong and came out with 28 only. 
The roads for miles are full of troops. The trees are all 
cut up by the shot. The woods are full of graves. Gov- 
ernor Harvey was drowned a few miles below here Sun- 
day night at Savannah. 

"AVe also visited the 18th. It was cut up more than 
the 16th, especially in officers. The Colonel, Major, act- 
ing Adjutant and several captains were killed, Lieut. - 
Colonel badly wounded. The Lieut. -Colonel of the 16th, 
Cassius Fairchild, is badly wounded in the thigh. One 
of the last acts Governor Harvey did was to appoint 
Captain Gabe Bouck, Colonel, and me, Major of the 18th. 



26 REMINISCENCES 

I do not know that I shall accept. I think I will stay 
with Company K for awhile." 

"Hamburg, Tenn., April 25, 1862. — We are en- 
camped here with an immense and constantly increasing 
army, camps, artillery, cavalry, and all the machinery of 
war, for several miles up and down the river. There is 
undoubtedly to be a great battle before long. We, Com- 
pany K, go out a few miles this morning as part of the 
grand guard. This is a guard along the whole front of 
the army, about three miles in advance." 

"Camp six miles west of Hamburg, Tenn., April 28, 
1862. — We are here encamped in a beautiful wood, al- 
most like our openings. Our lines, which are many miles 
in extent, are being steadily and continuously advanced 
toward Corinth. Our advance line must be within five 
or six miles of those of the rebels. They must meet in a 
few days." 



LETTER FROM WM. P. LYON TO ISAAC LYON. 

"Camp twelve miles southwest of Hamburg, in 
Miss., May 3, 1862. — Here we are in the State of Missis- 
sippi, only ten miles from Corinth. The whole army is 
advancing slowly and surely upon that place, and in a 
very few days the rebels there must either fight us or run. 

"We moved six miles to this place day before yester- 
day and expect to move on still further in a day or two. 
The caution with which the advance is made inspires us 
with confidence in General Halleck. There will be no 
more surprise here. 

"We have a better, if not a larger army, than the 
rebels, and are better off for artillery than they are. I 
think the heaviest fighting will be with the artillery. I 
have not seen Sperry but that one time when we first 



OF THE CIVIL WAR 27 



arrived. He must be three or four miles from where we 
are. 

"This is a fine country to look at, but where culti- 
vated seems worn out. The timber is light, much like 
our openings. On our march out here I saw corn large 
enough to be hoed, and cherries nearly full size. Crops, 
what little there are, look very poor. 

"We see no signs of energy, enterprise, or taste 
among the few people we encounter. The days are usu- 
ally warm, but the nights are very cool and pleasant. 

"I received news today of the death at Sikeston of 
John H. Lowe, of Springfield. We left him there very 
sick." 



TO MRS. LYON. 



"Camp eight miles from Corinth, May 5, 1862. — 
Company K was immediately sent out three miles to- 
ward Corinth as grand guard, or outpost picket. It 
rained terribly all the afternoon and nearly all night, 
and we were out in the whole of it. The next day coming 
into camp we had to wade a slough filled with water by 
the rain. I got in up to my neck, to the infinite amuse- 
ment of the boys. I did not take cold and feel none the 
worse for it. 

"The rebel cavalry were in sight of our picket lines, 
and there is skirmishing all along the lines every day. 
The opinion is that the rebels will retreat from Corinth 
without a fight. When we were out the other night we 
could hear their bands and drum corps play, and also the 
whistle of their locomotives, distinctly. There is so 
much woods here that we can not see far ahead." 



28 KEMINISCENCES 

LETTER TO GOVERNOR SALOMON. 

"Army of the Mississippi. 
Camp near Farmington, Miss., 

May 5, 1862. 
"Hon. Edward Salomon, 

Gov. of Wisconsin. 
"Governor : 

"On my return to camp this afternoon with my com- 
pany, from grand guard duty in the direction of Corinth, 
I received the following telegram from the lamented 
Governor Harvey, forwarded to me from Cairo by Gen- 
eral Strong, and dated at Pittsburg, April ITth ult. : 
'To Capt. Wm. P. Lyon — You are ap- 
pointed Major of the 18th Wisconsin, and re- 
quested to report at once to Grant. 

L. P. Harvey.' 
"I have no knowledge whether a commission has 
been issued to me, or, indeed, whether you were apprised 
of his intention to appoint me. Neither do I know 
whether ycu would deem it proper to carry out such in- 
tentions, were you cognizant of it. I have, therefore, 
concluded (under the advice of friends) to remain in 
command of my company until I hear from you. If 
you send the commission I will accept it — provided the 
vacancy in my company caused thereby be filled from the 
company in the regular line of promotion; that is, 1st 
Lieut. Albert E. Smith to be Capt., 2d Lieut. James O. 
Bartlett to be 1st Lieut., and 1st Sergeant Theodore W. 
Fellows to be 2d Lieut. They are good oflflcers, and their 
promotion will be acceptable to the company and to the 
officers of our regiment. It would be a gratification to 
me to receive their commissions with mine. 

"Permit me to add. Governor, that while I deeply 
appreciate the kindness which prompted my lamented 
friend. Governor Harvey, to select me as the Major of the 



OF THE CIVIL WAR 29 



18th, I am not, as lie well knew, solicitous for promotion. 
I am well satisfied with my present position, and should 
leave my company and regiment ( with whom I have been 
so intimately connected for the last eight months) with 
many regrets. If, therefore, my appointment has not 
been officially made, and there is any other person you 
would prefer to appoint, or have already appointed, I 
beg to assure you that your decision will not disquiet me 
in the least. I have the honor to be 

Very respectfully Your Obdt. Servt., 
Wm. p. Lyon, 
"Capt. Co. K, 8th Regt. Wis. Vol." 



LETTER TO GENERAL GRANT. 

"Army of the Mississippi. 
"Camp near Farmington, Miss., May 5, 1862. 
"Maj. -General U. S. Grant, 

"Comdg. Army of the Tennessee. 

"General: I have the honor to report that I 
have this day received the following telegram, dated 
Pittsburg, April 17th ult., which was forwarded to me 
from Cairo by General Strong : 

'To Capt. Wm. P. Lyon — You are ap- 
pointed Major of the 18th Wis. and requested to 
report at once to Gen. Grant. L. P. Harvey.' 
"In consequence of the untimely death of Governor 
Harvey, so soon after he sent the above dispatch, I am 
led to believe that my appointment was not officially 
made, and that therefore his successor can appoint some 
other person if he chooses. Indeed, I am not informed 
whether Governor Salomon is aware of the intention of 
Governor Harvey in the premises. I have, therefore, 
written Governor Salomon informing him of the receipt 



30 REMINISCENCES 

of the telegram and requesting him to notify me of his 

determination. Should I receive a commission, I will 

report to you in person at the earliest possible day. I am 

Very respectfully Your Obdt. Servt,, 

Wm. p. Lyon, 
"Capt. Co. K., 8th Regt. Wis. Vol." 



WRITTEN FOR THE RACINE ADVOCATE. 

The Battle of Farmington. 

"Camp of 2d Division, Army of the Mississippi, near 

Farmington. 

May 10, 1862. 

"The Grand Army of the West is slowly but surely 
advancing on the enemy. The final act in the great 
drama can not be much longer delayed. 

"Last Saturday General Paine's Division advanced 
to Farmington, within about three miles of Corinth ; and 
after some heavy skirmishing with a considerable force 
of the enemy, drove them back and took possession of the 
place. On Sunday, Stanley's Division (the 2d of Pope's 
Command) moved forward to within about three miles 
of Farmington and went into camp. Paine's Division 
had also fallen back to this position, and encamped di- 
rectly in front of us, leaving only a small force of cav- 
alry to occupy the ground from which the rebels had 
been driven. Rain fell in such quantities on Sunday 
and on Sunday night as to render the roads almost im- 
passable for the next two or three days. On Thursday, 
the roads being considerably improved, these two divis- 
ions, Stanley's and Paine's, advancing beyond Farming- 

* This correspondence did not result in any change in the officers 
of Company K. The result was very satisfactory to Captain Lyon, 
because he much preferred to remain with his old company. 



OF THE CIVIL WAR 31 

ton and. reconnoitered the ground up to within a short 
distance of Corinth, the enemy retiring before us. There 
was considerable skirmishing during the day, in which 
we lost several men, but no serious engagement.* 

"Farmington is a small village of about thirty or 
forty houses, on the road from Corinth to Hamburg, 
pleasantly situated among open fields which are 
bounded on every side by the woods. As the position 
was considerably in advance of the main body of our 
army, it was deemed prudent towards night to draw off 
our forces to their camps, which had not been moved, 
leaving only one brigade in the rear of Farmington to 
hold the position, or at least hold the enemy in check 
should he attempt to advance. The brigade thus left is 
the 2d of Stanley's Division, commanded by General 
Plummer and composed of the 26th Illinois, 8th Wiscon- 
sin, 47th Illinois and 11th Missouri regiments. The 
brigade fell back to an open field surrounded by woods, 
on the right of the Hamburg road and about a mile this 
side of Farmington, and here remained during the night. 
Company A of the 8th and four companies from other 
regiments, under command of Major Jefferson of the 
8th, w ere stationed as outposts during the night, about a 
mile and a half or two miles in advance of the brigade. 

"About daylight the next morning the enemy ad- 
vanced through the woods beyond Farmington and at- 
tacked our outposts. Major Jefferson, seeing that the 
enemy were in strong force, deployed his force as skirm- 
ishers, charging them to keep cool and retire slowly, 

* The Eighth was in General Paine's Division. 

General Paine was a resident of Illinois and a graduate of a 
military academy, but had resigned from the regular army before 
the Civil War began. He was an excellent officer; a very brave man; 
and, although a little rough at times, a great favorite with the men 
under his command. 

A characteristic anecdote of him is that at one time a Tennessee 
woman came to his headquarters and complained bitterly that the 
Union soldiers had stolen all of Her chickens. The General treated 
her kindly, blamed the soldiers for their conduct and sympathized 
with the poor woman in her trouble; but he closed the conversation 
by saying to her, "Madam, we are going to put down this rebellion 
if it takes every chicken in the State of Tennessee." 



32 REMINISCENCES 

firing as they went. He also sent an orderly to Colonel 
Loomis of the 26th Illinois (who in the absence of Gen- 
eral Pliimmer commanded the brigade), notifying him of 
the approach of the enemy and asking for reinforce- 
ments. This Colonel Loomis could not grant, as he had 
instructions not to advance his force beyond their first 
position. In the meantime the enemy, driving our 
skirmishers before them, advanced into the village of 
Parmington and planted a battery there, from which 
the,y opened a galling fire upon the skirmishers. 

"Great credit is due to Major Jefferson and to Cap- 
tain Redfield, and the other officers and men employed 
as skirmishers, for the coolness and courage they dis- 
played under the enemy's fire. Retiring slowly from 
one sheltered position to another they kept up a galling 
fire upon the enemy, which caused them to advance with 
great caution, so that it was more than three hours from 
their first appearance until they became engaged with 
our main force. 

"About ten o'clock, the enemy still advancing in 
three lines of battle, covered the open fields in front of 
Farmington and planted another battery in the edge of 
the woods to the right of our front, about a mile dis- 
tant. He also soon opened another at about the same 
distance on our left. About this time General Palmer 
came up with four Illinois regiments and Hescock's 
battery. 

"Hescock's battery was placed about five hundred 
yards in our advance, and two of the regiments were 
posted a little to the rear and right of the battery, their 
light resting on the woods and their left in front of the 
right of our brigade. The other two regiments of Palm- 
er's Brigade w^ere posted on an elevated position to the 
left of the Hamburg road. Captain Hescock, who be- 
haved with great gallantry during the engagement, hav- 
ing got his guns in position, opened a very vigorous and 



OF THE CIVIL WAR 33 

apparently very effective fire on the enemy's battery in 
the woods on the left. 

"Their guns for a time were silenced, and there was 
a short pause in the battle. The enemy were, however, 
steadily advancing all the time under cover of the woods 
on our right and left, endeavoring to flank our position, 
in which they came very near being successful. Soon 
the rebel batteries opened with redoubled fury. Their 
guns were evidently manned by skillful artillerists, for 
they fired with great rapidity and fearful precision. 
They sent shot and shell alternately into Palmer's line 
and then into ours, and at times clear beyond into the 
woods in our rear, along the only road by which rein- 
forcements could come or a retreat be effected. About 
twelve o'clock the sharp crack of musketry in our front, 
mingling with the sullen roar of cannon, told us that 
Palmer's men were engaged with the advancing rebel 
infantry. This officer, seeing that his position was rap- 
idly being flanked, after a few volleys drew off his men 
and formed another line in our rear. Hescock's battery 
was also compelled to retire in order to avoid capture. 
This left our line exposed to all the fury of the battle. 

"Our brigade was drawn up on the sde of a gentle 
rise in the open field, our right and left resting on the 
woods. The 26th Illinois occupied the right, the 8th 
Wisconsin on its left, the 47th Illinois on our 
left, and the 11th Missouri on the extreme left 
of the line. Palmer having fallen back, and the 
only battery we had engaged having retired, the 
enemy now turned their guns upon us, and soon their 
shot and shell fell thick and fast in our ranks. One of 
their first shot passed close to the head of Major Jeffer- 
son and took off the leg of Lieut.-Colonel Miles of the 
47th Illinois, who shortly after died.* Another shell 

* Colonel Miles was mounting his horse and had just put his foot 
in the stirrup when a ball struck the foot that was on the ground 
and took off the leg. He died that night. 



34 REMINISCENCES 



struck close to Company G of our regiment and ex- 
ploded, mortally wounding Lieutenant Beamish and 
Corporal John White of that company, and slightly 
wounding another. The first two died soon after they 
were brought from the field. The brigade was ordered 
to lie down, and having done so found great protection 
in the elevated ground in front of it. Still the enemy, 
depressing their guns, got such accurate range that their 
shot and shell tore up the ground in every direction 
along our line, killing and wounding some in each regi- 
ment, except the 11th Missouri, who were so far to the 
left and so completely under cover of the woods that they 
escaped without the loss of a single man. 

"Soon the rebel infantry advanced in heavy force in 
our front and in the woods to our left, and opened fire 
upon our line. The firing was now, for a short time, 
absolutely terrific. Grape shot and bullet flew thick 
and fast as hail in a wintry storm. Men who were 
through the Mexican war declare that they were never 
under such a fearful fire before; and it is a matter of 
astonishment that our casualties were so few. It can 
only be accounted for by the fact that our men kept close 
to the ground and so avoided the deadly missiles which 
passed over them. Nothing is more trying to the nerves 
of men than thus to have to remain silent and motionless 
under a fire which they are not permitted to return. The 
8th, however, bore it without flinching; until at length 
Colonel Loomis gave the word : "Up, 8th Wisconsin, and 
give it to them !" 

"Our boys now rose up, and advancing to the crest 
of the elevation in front of them poured volley after vol- 
ley into the rebel ranks. The fearful yells, and still 
more fearful fire, of the Badger boys evidently produced 
a stunning effect upon the enemy, for soon their fire 
slackened, then their lines wavered, and finally they 
broke and retired in disorder to the cover of the woods. 



OF THE CIVIL WAR 35 

At this time about four hundred of our cavalry came up, 
and passing our regiment on the right, charged the bat- 
tery in our front, driving the rebels from their guns ; but 
not being supported, and being exposed to a heavy fire 
from the rebel infantry in the woods, they were com- 
pelled to retire without capturing the battery.* 

"In the meantime, the enemy were rapidly flanking 
us in the woods on our right, and the regiment support- 
ing us having fallen back, the 8th was also ordered to 
retire and form another line in the woods in the rear. 
This our men did in good order, moving off the field al- 
most as deliberately as in ordinary battalion drill. 

"The enemy still endeavoring to get on our flank and 
iis our rear, and having evidently abundant force for the 
accomplishment of their object, our entire force was 
ordered to move through the woods to the road and fall 
back thereon to our next lines, which we found formed 
ill an open field about a mile and a half in the rear of 
our first position. By this time the whole of Pope's com- 
mand were advancing and forming in line, all suppos- 
ing that a general engagement had begun. The enemy, 
however, made no further advance, but hastily withdrew, 
leaving our pickets to occupy the battlefield during the 
same night. 

"During the entire engagement the conduct of the 
8th in every way sustained the reputation which the Wis- 
consin troops have won on other fields. Lieut. -Colonel 
Bobbins (who in the absence of Colonel Murphy com- 
manded the regiment). Major Jefferson and Adjutant 
Sprague, proved themselves to be brave men and able of- 
ficers. Indeed, all the officers and men, as far as known, 
behaved with a steadiness and gallantry worthy of vet- 
erans. General Palmer, riding up to the regiment on the 
field, inquired what regiment it was. Being told that it 

* The command that made this gallant charge was the 2d Iowa 
Cavalry, commanded by Colonel (afterward General) Elliott. 



36 REMINISCENCES 

was the 8th Wisconsin, he said, in a most emphatic 
manner : "You have done nobly !" 

"It could not have been the intention of General 
Pope to bring on a general engagement at this point, 
otherwise we should have been reinforced and held the 
position at all hazards. The accounts of deserters and 
prisoners represent the force of the enemy at from twenty 
to forty thousand strong, commanded by Generals Bragg 
and Hardee. The force we had on the field was not over 
five thousand men. We were nearly three miles in ad- 
vance of the main body of our troops, and the only road 
by which we could be reinforced is a narrow road run- 
ning through woods and swamps, which the enemy were 
able to shell from the position where they had planted 
their batteries. Being much better acquainted with the 
country than we, they no doubt intended and expected to 
surround and cut us off before reinforcements could 
reach us. In this they were completely foiled, and the 
reception they met probably convinced them that it 
would neither be safe nor pleasant to attempt to advance 
any further in this direction. 

"The entire loss of all our troops engaged is about 
one hundred and fifty in killed and wounded. The 
enemy probably lost quite as many. Though the loss of 
our regiment (owing to the manner in which they took 
advantage of the inequalities of the ground) is compara- 
tively light, it yet includes some of our best men. Their 
names are as follows : 

"Captain John E. Perkins, Co. C — mortally 
wounded by a minie ball in the side. Since dead. 

"Lieutenant Richard D. Beamish, Co. G — Struck 
by a shell. Dead. 

"Corporal John A. White, Co. G — struck by a shell. 
Dead. 

"Corporal August Ludkie, Co. D — Shot through the 
hand. 



OF THE CIVIL WAK 37 

"O. D. Leonard, Co. D — shot through the thigh. 

"Wm. Buckley, Co. C — fracture of the forearm. 
Since amputated. 

"Blake W. Griffith, Co. F— shot by musket ball in 
side. 

"Sergeant B. Bush and H. W. Allen, Co. F— 
slightly. Not disabled. 

"Zebulon Johnson, Co. I — in leg below the knee. 
Since amputated. 

"Iver Oleson, Co. I — shot through the neck. Se- 
verely. 

"Alva Wood, Co. I — wounded in leg and missing. 

" Jas. Kendall, Oliver Wood, George W. Trude, S. B. 
Cox, Co. I — all slightly. 

"Harmon V. Sacia, Co. I — missing. 

"Jas. Kogers, Co. G — slightly. 

"Hans Nisson and Thomas Toney, Co. K — slightly. 
Not disabled. 

"George W. Quimby, John C. Green and Charles 
Col her, Co. A — slightly. Not disabled. 

"Three companies had been detailed as outposts dur- 
ing the previous night and as skirmishers in the morn- 
ing. Only one platoon succeeded in getting to the field 
in time to take part in the principal engagement. This 
platoon, under command of Lieutenant Baker, formed 
alongside of Captain Green's company, and there ren- 
dered good service. Only fourteen men of Company D 
were present, the rest of the company having mistaken 
the orders the preceding night and gone back to camp; 
but these, under command of Lieut. McDowell, rendered 
good service. Company B was left behind, as a camp 
guard, so it met with no casualties. 

"Besides those mentioned in the above list there are 
quite a number who were struck and more or less 
scratched and bruised by the enemy's missiles ; but they 
are scarcely enough damaged to be classed with wounded 



38 REMINISOENCES 

men. I find, however, that it is customary to swell the 
list of wounded by reporting as such all who have been 
in any way scratched or bruised in a fight. 

"Captain Perkins, who commanded the company 
known as the Chippewa Eagles, who made such a sensa- 
tion when they came into Camp Randall with a living 
eagle (which they still carry with them), was a man of 
giant frame, and one who had a large heart — a man of 
the most generous and patriotic impulses. His loss is 
felt and deeply regretted by the whole regiment.* 

"Lieut. Beamish, of Company G, was a young man of 
superior intelligence, of fine social qualities, and a brave 
and useful officer. Corporal White was a young man of 
excellent character, intelligent, upright and correct in 
his deportment, both as a man and as a soldier. There 
are no' better men left than these in this or any other 
regiment. They offered their lives to their country in 
her hour of need, and with their blood have sealed their 
devotion to her integrity and her honor. Peace to their 
ashes and honor to their memories! 

Wm. p. Lyon. 

"P. S. — I forgot to say that on our return to camp 
from the battlefield we found that Colonel Murphy had 
arrived, but too late to be in the engagement. You may 
be sure the whole regiment was glad to see him." 

* "The Eau Claire Badgers are going- into battle under the pro- 
tective aegis of the veritable American Eagle. It was captured by 
the Indians of the Chippewa river, and purchased by the Badgers. 
Its perch is to be the flag-staff of the Stars and Stripes. Who could 
not fight under so glorious emblems?" — The Eau Claire Free Press 
(Sept. 5, 1861). 

"An incident occurred yesterday as the Chippewa company ar- 
rived at Camp Radnall. They bore in advance of them a platform on 
which was a live eagle, surmounted by a small American flag. Just 
as they entered the camp the eagle expanded his wings and seized 
the flag in his beak. The incident attracted much attention, and if it 
had happened in other days, in a Roman camp, would have been 
regarded by the augurs as a singularly favorable omen." — Madison 
State Journal (Sept. 10, 1861). 

"At Madison, the eagle's visitors numbered thousands, and 
among them wore dignitaries of civil and military professions. Here, 
by Captain Perkins, he was donned with the title of 'Old Abe,' in 
honor of Abraham Lincoln, the faithful President and patriot. By 
vote of the company, the 'Badgers' were to be styled the 'Eau Claire 
Eagles,' and, by voice of the people, the Eighth Wisconsin was desig- 
nated as the 'Eagle Regiment.' The first fight the eagle was in was 



OF THE CIVIL WAR 39 

RESOLUTIONS ON DEATH OF OFFICERS KILLED AT 
FARMINGTON. 

"The field, staff and line officers of the 8th Regiment 
of Wisconsin Volunteers, having met to express their 
sentiments relative to the decease of Captain John T. 
Perkins of Company C, and Lieutenant Richard Beam- 
ish and Corporal John White of Company G, all of whom 
fell, mortally wounded, in the engagement with the 
enemy near Farmington, Miss., on the 9th of May, inst., 
while bravely fighting for the maintenance of the Gov- 
ernment and Constitution of our Country, do unanim- 
ously resolve : 

"1st. — That we deeply deplore the afflicting dispen- 
sation which has removed these gallant soldiers from 
amongst us, endeared to us as they were by intimate as- 
sociations for many months in camp and field, while they 
shared with us the privations and perils which we have 
been called to encounter in the sei'vice of our beloved 
Country. 

"2d. — That our lamented friends were true patriots 
and brave soldiers, prompt and faithful in the discharge 
of their duties, invaluable to the companies to which 
they respectively belonged, and an honor to our regiment 
and State. And while we deeply mourn their loss, we 
gather consolation from the knowledge that they fell at 
the post of duty, calm, fearless, heroic to the last; and 
(should it be our lot to meet the foe in deadly conflict) 
their glorious example will strengthen our arms and 
nerve our hearts to dare all and risk all for our country ; 

the battle of Farmington, Miss., where he showed a great deal of 
sagacity. When we were ordered to lie down on the ground, under a 
dreadful artillery fire from the enemy's batteries, he flew off his perch, 
getting as low as he could, and lay there until he saw the regiment 
rise to advance, when he flew upon his perch again, and remained 
there through the engagement.' 

"In this battle fell Captain Perkins, mortally wounded — a brave 
soldier and true patriot — Lieutenant Victor Wolf succeeding in com- 
mand. In his report. General Palmer highly complimented the 'Regi- 
ment that bore the Eagle.' " — J. O. Barrett. 



40 REMINISCENCES 

and should it be our lot to fall, we could not desire a 
death more glorious than theirs. 

"3d. — That we deeply sympathize with the sorrow- 
ing relatives and friends of the deceased in their bereave- 
ment, for we know full well how heavily and sadly the 
intelligence will fall upon their hearts that loved and 
honored members of the family and social circle will 
return no more, that they have been stricken down in the 
vigor of manhood, upon the bloody battle field, and sleep 
their last sleep in a distant land, 

"4th. — That the editors of newspapers in Wisconsin 
be requested to publish these resolutions." 



TO MRS. LYON. 



"Near Farmington, May 10, 1862. — At last we have 
been under fire and have come out unscathed. I suc- 
ceeded in 'keeping cool' throughout, thus satisfying my 
superior officers and the expectations of my own men. I 
can not say that I lost the sense of personal danger, and 
1 know that I did not lose the apprehension of danger to 
my men during the battle; yet I had nerve and self-com- 
mand, and that it all I expected. I am called off on 
fatigue duty." 

"Camp Redfield, May 13, 1862.— I was called off to 
superintend building a road through a swamp. I was 
sent out with Captain Young's company (he being sick). 
We were out nearly all night, being within one-half or 
three-quarters of a mile from the rebel pickets. I was 
very weary and did not write yesterday. We are all in 
good health and spirits. Eeinforcements continue to 
pour in to us and we have an immense army here. If 
they stand us a fight we shall whip them, but since 
tliey have run away from New Orleans, Yorktown and 



OF THE CIVIL WAR 41 

Norfolk, I almost believe they will run away from Cor- 
inth. I still feel that I shall come home to you safely. I 
felt so when the storm of death beat around me on the 
battle field. I knew that from the lips and hearts I love 
so dearly in my far-off home earnest prayers went up for 
my safety, and it nerved me to do my duty fearlessly in 
the hour of peril and death; and the greater the peril 
that surrounds me, the more clear are my convictions 
that I am where I ought to be. Let us both with fervent 
faith and undoubting trust commit our future destiny 
to His hands 'Who doeth all things well'." 

"May 16, 1862. — We are ordered to march at day- 
light with two days' cooked rations. It may be for an- 
other reconnaisance, and it may be — and probably is — 
an advance of the whole army upon Corinth. In that 
case the rebels must fight or run, and it is about an even 
chance which they will do. We do not for an instant 
lose our faith in our ability to whip them. You had bet- 
ter not lay plans to come to me in case of accident, for I 
v/ould come home if unable to do duty." 

"Farmington, Miss., Tuesday a. m.. May 20, 1862. — 
On Saturday, just at night, our whole force ad- 
vanced about three miles to this place. We are about a 
mile south of our battle ground of the 9th inst. We 
bivouacked that night in line of battle and the next 
morning went to work and entrenched ourselves. This is 
done by digging ditches sufficiently wide for two ranks, 
and deep enough so that the men when standing can just 
see to shoot over the embankment of dirt from the trench 
which is thrown up on the outside. When the men sit 
down they are completely out of sight below the surface, 
and perfectly safe unless a ball or shell happens to fall 
directly in the trench. The artillery is posted directly 
behind us and shoots over our heads. 

"Behind our regiment are ten field pieces, one 
twelve-pound howitzer for shell, four ten-pound Parrott 



42 REMINISCENCES 

guns and five six-pound brass pieces. Then immediately 
on our left is a battery of four thirty-two-pound Parrott 
siege guns; and this is a specimen of our defenses 
through the whole line stretchinig miles away to the 
north. 

"We are waiting here now for the rebels to attack 
us, as our position is very strong. We are on an eleva- 
tion, with a broad plateau of cleared fields be- 
fore us which they must cross before they can 
reach us. There is constant firing of pickets and 
some cannonading up the line every day at dif- 
ferent points. I hear the big guns talking now a few 
miles north of us. If they do not attack us here we shall 
soon move up still nearer to them and fortify another 
line. At the longest I think the struggle will be over here 
in the course of two weeks, perhaps sooner. We do not 
doubt our ability to defeat them. I feel calm in view of 
the approaching contest. My greatest solicitude is for 
the brave boys that I lead to battle ; but they, and all of 
us, are engaged in a righteous cause and are in the hands 
of Him 'Who doeth all things well.' Now, be brave and 
hopeful. You will hear of the great battle many days 
before you know my fate, as I can not telegraph to you. 
I will write as quickly as I can. I am in perfect health." 

( The following letter was written in the trenches in 
lead pencil, on the brown paper that was wrapped 
around his loaf of bread) : 

"May 31, 1862. — I wrote you yesterday in the 
trenches, two miles from Corinth and one mile from the 
rebel fortifications. Today I write you from the same 
place. 

"Yesterday there was a brisk artillery fight, lasting 
nearly all day, between one of our batteries and a rebel 
fort a mile off, mounting four guns. Their shell and 
shot passed over our entrenchments, in which we lay 
quietly and safely. During the night there have been 



OF THE CIVIL WAR 43 

movements going on which convince us that Corinth is 
evacuated. There has been great activity among our 
troops this morning, and as I write our men are taking 
possession, without fighting, of the fort that fired at us so 
vigorously yesterday and on Wednesday. The stars and 
stripes wave over it in plain view of us, and the wild 
cheers of our men give but a faint expression of our de- 
light. 

"Lieut. Lathrop, of Company I, who is acting as 
xA.ide to Colonel Loomis, in temporary command of our 
brigade, just rode along our lines and informed us that 
two of our regiments were already in Corinth. And 
thus, through the masterly generalship of General Hal- 
leck, the battle of Corinth has been fought and won with 
so little loss of life. Where the rebels have gone, or 
what our future movements will be, is yet a profound 
mystery to us. And now, after telling you for the fif- 
tieth time that I am perfectly well and that the health of 
the boys is very good, I will give you a few more details 
of the fight. 

"On Wednesday the rebel line of attack was im- 
mediately in front of the 8th Wisconsin and the 5th 
Minnesota, posted on our left. We lay behind the brow 
of a slight elevation of ground. We heard the rebels 
coming, heard their officers cheering them on in terms 
more earnest than polite, but we lay still until they 
were within ten rods of us, when the old 8th rose and 
poured a volley into them that threw them into the wild- 
est confusion. Before they reached the woods in their 
rear we poured ten more volleys into them. As they re- 
treated our artillery got a raking fire on them, killing 
and wounding large numbers. We found fifteen or 
twenty dead and wounded immediately in front of our 
company. The dead we buried, the wounded we cared 
for. 

"Our regiment stood firm to a man., and did the most 



44 REMINISCENCES 

of the fighting done by infantry on that day. Thou- 
sands of men saw us in the fight, and everybody speaks 
in the highest terms of the courage of the 8th. Let Wis- 
consin be assured that her honor will never be com- 
promised by her sons of the ^Eagle Regiment.' 

"Our loss is remarkably light. I have already told 
you that Ralph M, Coon of my company was killed. He 
was standing in the front ranks, fighting bravely, and 
was shot through the body. He said he was wounded, 
walked calmly to the rear, and was carried off the field. 
He soon became insensible and died in an hour. We sent 
his body back to the camp, and yesterday sorrowing 
friends laid the brave young hero in his last resting 
place. Let his name be added to the roll of honor ! 

"Charles Noyes, also of Company K, was severely 
wounded in the leg, just above the knee. He, too, was 
in the front rank, bravely doing his duty when he was 
struck. He appears to be doing well and is in good spir- 
its. S. A. Henderson was also slightly wounded in the 
hand. 

"I must give you a little circumstance, too good to 
be lost, showing the temper of some of our boys. 

"Lucas Lathrop, son of A. H. Lathrop, of Mount 
Pleasant, is as fine a specimen of a soldier and patriot 
as you will find. Brave, intelligent and earnest, he has 
gained the respect of the entire regiment. He is a sol- 
dier of the Cromwellian stamp, a devoted Christian, car- 
rying his religion with him, holding prayer meetings in 
his tent, and striving to set a worthy example to his 
comrades. Speaking of him in a recent skirmish, one 
writes the following incident: 

" 'Lathrop and Finch were standing side by side 
loading their guns. Not far in advance of them stood a 
gi'eat, powerful looking rebel sharpshooter, also loading 
his piece. Lathrop saw him, and tapping Finch on the 
shoulder said, pointing : "There stands a tolerably large 



OF THE CIVIL WAR 45 

man," and deliberately drawing his gun to his shoulder, 
fired. Sufl0.ce it to say that the traitor never finished 
loading his gun. Lathrop turned coolly around and re- 
marked: "Mr. Finch, I think I hurt that man, but it 
can't be helped now." ' " 

"Booneville, 25 miles south of Corinth, June 4, 1862. 
— We marched until midnight last night. I don't know 
what we are here for or where the enemy is. I am very 
weary. I have not been in camp for over a week, yet T 
keep well. It is singular that the rebel army has twice 
as much sickness as we have, and they are accustomed to 
the climate and we are not. I saw Spud Smith, who told 
me all about you and the pets. It was a great comfort 
to me." 

"Camp near Booneville, Miss., 25 miles south of Cor- 
inth, on Mobile & Ohio R. R., Sunday, June 8, 1862.— 
We are lying quietly here, encamped in a beautiful 
grove, on dry, clean land. Our regiment is in better 
health than almost any regiment near us, and yet we 
have a large number of sick men back in the hospitals. 
For myself, I seem to grow stronger and more healthy 
every day. The climate seems well adapted to my con- 
stitution. We have warm days usually, with cool, de- 
licious nights. I sleep every night on the ground under 
a shelter of boughs, our tents not having yet reached us, 
with nothing but a rubber blanket under me, and I sleep 
soundly and sweetly. I do not think we shall move from 
here until the Mississippi river is open so that we can 
get our supplies by railroad from Memphis. We now 
have to haul them with teams from Hamburg, between 
forty and fifty miles distant. The Tennessee river will 
soon be so low that it will be difficult to get them to 
Hamburg. 

"I have no idea where Beauregard's army is, but we 
have plenty of evidence that it is sadly demoralized. I 
do not expect any more hard fighting here, for I do not 



46 REMINISCENCES 

believe that the rebels will face us, but I may be mis- 
taken. If McClellan takes Richmond, and the Missis- 
sippi is speedily opened, I shall confidently expect a 
speedy termination of this wicked rebellion. Then, our 
duty performed and our beloved country relieved from 
peril, with glad emotions will we return to the arms of 
our loved ones and to the sacred peace of our happy 
homes. God speed the joyful hour ! 

"I have now been in two fierce battles and have faced 
death for long, weary hours, and amid the wild terrors of 
the contest have been enabled by our kind Heavenly 
Father to preserve my self-command and do my duty. 
Oh, how sublime a scene is a battle ! I can not describe 
it, but it seemed like the thunder on Sinai or the day of 
judgment, as our imaginations picture those wonderful 
events. Aside from its fearful perils, a battle fills the 
soul with the most sublime emotions. Then life is re- 
garded at its true value, and the obligations of honor, 
patriotism, duty and humble trust in God fire the soul 
to meet manfully the terrible responsibilities of the 
hour. I thank God most devoutly that I have been en- 
abled to render some service to my country, and that 
thus far our sweet babes will never have occasion to 
blush at the thought that their father failed to do his 
duty. The conviction that I shall return to you in safety 
at the end of the war keeps my feelings constantly calm 
and happy, and I sincerely hope that you feel so. I am 
well satisfied that I did not accept the promotion to the 
18th, for I feel justifiable pride in the renown which our 
regiment has achieved. I feel now very clearly that it 
is my duty to keep with my company. The devotion of 
my men to me, evidenced in a thousand ways, often 
brings tears to my eyes. 

"I am vexed with the newspapers. Some of 
them are dissatisfied because we did not fight a great 
battle and, of course, have a great slaughter; and they 



OF THE CIVIL WAR 47 

call the whole operation a defeat. This is frightfully, 
cruelly wicked. These men are in a rage because ten 
thousand more homes are not desolated. The fact is, 
the whole campaign has been conducted with the most 
consummate generalship. Corinth is a most important 
position in a military point of view, flanking both Fort 
Pillow and Memphis. We wanted the position. The 
rebels themselves, with their arms and supplies, were of 
but little consequence to us. We won the position with 
but little loss of life, and these cowardly home-guards 
gnash their teeth in impotent rage because no more of 
us were butchered." 

"Camp five miles south of Corinth, Friday, June 13, 
1862. — I have been doing picket duty at Booneville. Wc 
shall probably remain here some time. Indeed, I think 
we are in summer quarters, unless some exigency of the 
war should call us away. We are encamped in scatter- 
ing timber, on a dry and, I think, healthy location. \Ve 
have hot days, but cool and comfortable nights, and no 
mosquitos. The water is tolerably good. 

"General Halleck turned all of the lying newspaper 
reporters out of his camp after the battle of Farming- 
ton. Hence their hostility to him. The army is well 
satisfied with him and has unbounded confidence in him. 
He was not fooled by quaker guns, for there were none of 
these weapons at Corinth except a rusty revolver of 
mine w hich wont shoot ! I have already explained to you 
that the position was what we wanted, and it does seem 
to us here that it was better to win it without much 
bloodshed. Talk about soldiers getting blood-thirsty I 
Why, the desire which seems jji'evalent at the North that 
thousands of us should have been uselessly butchered 
before the formidable entrenchments at Corinth beats us 
blind in cool blood-thirstiness! ^Ij dear, put not your 
trust in the newspapers'." 

"Camp near Clear Creek, Miss., Tuesday, June 17, 



48 REMINISCENCES 

1862. — I went over to the 16th Kegiment, which is lo- 
cated near Corinth, about four miles from here, and 
stayed all night with Sperry. He is perfectly healthy, 
and fleshier than I ever saw him. He expects every day 
to receive his commission as 2d Lieutenant from April 
29th. His pay will be fl05 per month from that date in- 
stead of |20, which he received before. He stands a 
chance of being Captain within sixty days, I also saw 
Colonel Bouck, of the 18th. Neither of these regiments 
can turn out two hundred well men. They have not been 
in any fight since the battle of Shiloh." 

"June 20, 1862. — Last night it was quite cold. We 
were out on grand guard duty. I slept on the ground 
out of doors, with nothinig but a rubber blanket under 
me and an elevation of ground for a pillow. I had a lit- 
tle cold yesterday, but today I am nearly well. I live 
quite luxuriously in camp. Our mess consists of Lieut. 
Smith, Henry Bull, A. S. Henderson, of Bloomfleld, and 
myself. We have a large Secesh tent with an awning in 
front, and live principally on biscuit, ham, black tea, and 
pork and beans. The boys make excellent biscuit." 

"June 24, 1862. — Although I have considerable to 
do, yet the duties of one day are so much like those of 
another that life is monotonous. I will tell you how we 
spend the time. Drill from 5 :30 to 7 a. m. ; recitation in 
army regulations at 10, in tactics at 2 p. m. and drill 
from 5 :30 to 7 p. m. ; the intervals filled up in study, 
doing company business (of which there is consider- 
able), eating, sleeping and smoking, are the pursuits 
and occupations of a day. The routine is broken about 
one day in eight by grand guard duty, which sends us to 
the woods about a mile from camp for twenty-four hours, 
and in pleasant weather is a great relief." 

"Camp Clear Creek, Miss., Friday, June 27, 1862. — 
We are still here, pursuing the old routine of duty, and 
I am still entirelv well." 



OF THE CIVIL WAR 49 

"Camp Clear Creek, Miss., Sunday, June 28. — The 
boys are usually well, but I have quite a number sick at 
the hospital ten miles back, none dangerously. Out of 
63 men here, all, except three or four, are fit for duty, 
and none of them are very sick ; yet I notice that when a 
man gets sick here it takes a long tme for him to recover 
his strength again, but the men have to staj^ right here 
and do the best they can. There are but few paroles now 
granted to either officers or enlisted men, and it has be- 
come almost impossible for an enlisted man to get a dis- 
charge. An officer can only get his resignation accepted 
on account of sickness. Many of our regiment have been 
taken sick and resigned since we came up the Tennessee. 
I think this climate well adapted to my constitution, and 
I have no fear of being sick, neither have I the least dis- 
position to leave the service until this rebellion is put 
down. When that will be, God only knows ; but I do not 
despair of getting home next fall. I see no prospect of 
any more fighting this summer, if ever. 

"We are under marching' orders to leave in an hour. 
I do not know to what point we are going, but I hear it 
is Ripley, a place west of here and south of Grand Junc- 
tion, on the Miss. Cent. R. R." 

"Camp Clear Creek, Miss., July 1, 1862.— We went 
lo Danville, a little huddle of a dozen old houses, four 
miles south of this place, and the next day went five 
miles farther south to a small village, Rienzi, where our 
orders were countermanded, and we returned to Dan- 
ville. Remained there over night, and came into camp 
this morning. I have learned that we started for Holly 
Springs, seventy miles west of here, but a force that pre- 
ceded us found that we were not needed there, hence the 
countermand. 

"There is a rumor here that General Pope, who has 
been assigned to the command of the Shenandoah Val- 
ley in Virginia, is trying to get the Army of the Missis- 



50 KEMINISCENCES 

sippi transferred to that section. The men all hope it 
is true and that he will succeed. I think the decisive 
fight must occur at Richmond, however, before we get 
there. I doubt whether there is any considerable force of 
the rebel troops in this section, and I do not expect any 
more fighting here this summer." 

"July 5, 1862. — I had a very pleasant visit from Dr. 
Miller, of Geneva. He is appointed surgeon of the 6th 
Wisconsin Battery, Captain Dillon, which is at Rienzi, 
nine miles from us. He stayed all night with us, and 
then went to his post. I enjoyed his visit very much in- 
deed. 

"Colonel Heg called to see me yesterday. His regi- 
ment, the 15th, is encamped near us. Out of 750 men we 
have here in camp, not more than 40 are sick, none seri- 
ously so. My own health is perfect, not a throb of pain, 
scarcely of weariness, and the health tingling to my ver^^ 
toes' ends. 

"We hold ourselves in readiness to march any hour, 
and in any direction. We think that Beauregard's army 
has not gone to Richmond, but that a part of it is at 
Vicksburg and the balance about fifty miles south of us 
on the Mobile & Ohio R. R., near Okolona. I think we 
shall neither attack them nor be attacked by them very 
soon. Their cavalry scouts have been within twenty 
miles of us at Booneville and had a skirmish with our 
cavalry. Things look better at Richmond since McClel- 
lan has changed his front, contracted his lines, and got 
out of the swamps." 

"July 9, 1862. — I see there has been terrible fighting 
at Richmond, we fighting, as usual, against fearful odds. 
My only surprise is that our army was not annihilated. 
This check, unless speedily retrieved, will prolong the 
war a year, but the effect of it, I think, will be to send 
immense reinforcements to the field and insure a more 
vigorous and more severe prosecution of the war. The 



OF THE CIVIL WAR 51 

time has come, or will soon come, to march through this 
nest of vipers with fire and sword, to liberate every slave. 
I would like to help do that. Wisconsin has sent over 
twenty thousand men to the field, and must send within 
ninety days five thousand more, even though the drafting 
process be resorted to. I do not know as it is right, but 
life seems of no value to me unless we can crush out this 
rebellion and restore our Government; and we shall do 
it, if every man is driven to the field and our rivers run 
red with blood for a generation." 

"Camp Clear Creek, Miss., Sunday, July 13, 1862.— 
This is the only way I can celebrate your birthday, to 
v.Tite a long letter. Well, my dear, you are thirty-six 
years old, are 3^ou? Old enough to be a grandmother! I 
think it about time for you to give up thinking you are 
good looking, and begin to learn how to grow old grace- 
fully. Confidentially, however, to me you are, etc., etc. 
I wonder what you will have for dinner today, and speak- 
ing of dinner reminds me that some time ago you asked 
me to tell you how I live, which I believe I have neg- 
lected to do thus far. I do not mean that I have neg- 
lected to live, but I have failed to give you the modus 
operandi — to tell you how the thing is done. 

"Reveille beats at daylight. We get up, clean our 
, tents and quarters, shake blankets, w ash, and at 5 :30 a. 
m. turn out and drill for an hour. Then we have breakfast 
— ^ham, warm biscuit and very good butter, black tea, 
pickles, blackberries or currant sauce, is the usual bill 
of fare for breakfast ; ditto for dinner, ditto for supper. 
I consume very large quantities. We get ham, flour and 
tea of the commissary; pickles, butter, cheese, etc., of 
the sutler. Once in a great while I smoke. I have done 
so today. I think I may possibly repeat it before night. 
We have battalion drill at 5 :30 p. m., and dress parade 
until sundown ; tattoo at 8 :30, and then to our downy 
beds. Mine is luxurious. I smoothed it off the other 



52 REMINISCENCES 

day with a spade. As usual, I shirk a good deal. For 
instance, I make the sergeants and corporals take charge 
cf the company at morning drill, under pretense of their 
learning how to give the commands ! Then I divide the 
company into squads, and put a sergeant over each 
squad, charged with the duty of seeing to the men — 
their cleanliness, their arms — in short, everything. This 
I do under pretense that the 'Regulations' require it. 
'Regulations' is a great institution in the army. It 
teaches us 'how not to do it,' which is the true philos- 
ophy of thinking. Blessed be the man who invented the 
'Regulations.' So, when I say, 'we' do anything, you will 
understand that I speak in a sort of Pickwickian sense. 
I mean that the boys do it and I help them if I can't 
dodge. This last remark applies with peculiar force to 
the one item of getting up in the morning before day- 
light." 

"Camp Clear Creek, Miss., Monday, July 21, 1862. 
— Yesterday I was Field Officer of the Day (the officer 
who has charge of the pickets and outside posts), and I 
was in the saddle nearly all day and tramping a good 
deal of the night, so I feel stupid today. 

"I keep your picture hanging in my tent, where I 
can lie on my bed, that is, on the ground, and gaze at it 
and get sentimental, and fight flies. Speaking of flies, 
the Egyptian plagues, although they had locusts, and 
lice, and frogs, I believe, were a failure, because they did 
not have flies. Such swarms of them as infest our 
camps, drawn here by the debris of a great army, you 
can not conceive of. They are the common house fly 
and, like everything else here, are dull and stupid — 
don't know enough to go when you tell them to. So 
much for flies." 

"Camp Clear Creek, Miss., July 28, 1862.— So you 
fear my good spirits are assumed. Nary a hit of it. 
With an appetite that enables me to eat two rations. 



OF THE CIVIL WAR 53 

with physical vigor that keeps me free from an ache or a 
pain and lets me sleep on the hard earth as soundly and 
sweetly as I ever did on the softest bed, with a tolerably 
good looking, middle aged wife and two cute children 
'up North,' with the consciousness of doing my duty, 
and an increasing habitual reliance upon the protection 
of Divine Providence, why shouldn't I be in good spirits ! 

"Should 3^ou hear rumors that the North is whipped, 
you need not believe it. 'Tis no such thing. History 
doesn't tell of so successful a campaign as ours has been 
since the first of February. Some reverses were to be 
expected, but no Government ever conducted a war on 
so large a scale with so few reverses as has ours. Slavery 
will be wiped out. The South will be subdued, and any 
nation on earth that interferes with us will get war 
until it is tired of it." 

"Camp Clear Creek, Miss., July 31, 1862. — You are 
mistaken in supposing that we are meeting with re- 
verses out here. These raids of guerillas have no signifi- 
cance, whatever. A few of them pitch into an unpro- 
tected town of no consequence, rob, steal and burn, and 
then skedaddle. They have not taken a single place oc- 
cupied by our troops, of any value to us, except Mur- 
freesboro in Tennessee, and that was retaken in a very 
few days. So don't let your heart be troubled when you 
reiad all these sensational dispatches about guerilla oper- 
ations. They serve one good purpose, however, and that 
is tO' encourage enlistment at the North. 

"I think this gigantic rebellion will be put down 
without resorting to a draft, every soldier of the 1,000,- 
000 who aids in doing it being a volunteer. History 
furnishes no parallel to this. The whole policy of the 
Government is now changed, and war from henceforth is 
to be tear. Where the army of the Union goes, there 
slavery ceases forever. It is astonishing how soon the 
blacks have learned this, and they are flocking in con- 



54 REMINISCENCES 

siderable numbers already in our lines. The people here 
will learn before this war is over that 'The way of the 
transgressor is hard.' 

"Tell our Canada friends, many of whom seem to be 
groping in the darkness in regard to us, that this is a 
war for civil and religious liberty, for civilization, for 
Cristianity, on the part of this Government against 
crime, oppression and barbarism; and that all of their 
sympathies ought to be with us. But whether foreign 
nations comprehend the true bearings of this struggle or 
not, as sure as there is justice on earth or a God in 
heaven, we shall triumph. I shall not think of leaving 
the service so long as I have an arm to wield a sword or 
a voice to encourage my men to fight in so holy a cause. 
But I find I am making a stump speech, so I close." 

"Camp Clear Creek, Miss., Sunday, Aug. 6, 1862. — 
Once in a while we hear that we are soon to make a for- 
ward movement, but it is doubtful about our moving far 
or trying to do very much for a month yet. The weather 
is too hot for that. Then, while we are strong enough to 
hold our present position, we shall need considerable re- 
inforcements when we again take the offensive. All 
these things, however, are delightfully uncertain." 



OF THE CIVIL WAR 



55 




bout July 1, 1862, my father was 
stricken with paralysis. My sister, 
Mrs. Susie Adams, and myself were 
hurriedly summoned to Canada. The 
doctor said that his condition was 
critical, and we left immediately. 
Upon our arrival we found my father 
somewhat improved, and his conva- 
lescence continued from that time 
until he was entirely well. We remained in Canada 
about three weeks. 

On the 9th day of August, 1862, Captain Lyon was 
Field Officer of the day, and on account of the sickness of 
so many of the officers he was obliged to do double duty. 
The day was fearfully hot and he became very much ex- 
hausted. In the afternoon when he returned to camp he 
felt so weary that he lay down on the ground in his tent. 
He remembered that Colonel Murphy came into his tent 
and told him that he had been commissioned Colonel of 
the 13th Regiment, but it made no particular impression 
upon his mind. He also remembered that the Lieutenant 
came into his tent and looked at him, and later that he 
brought Dr. Murta to him.* The following letter, dated 
August 17, 1862, was received from our brother-in-law, 
A. S. Northrup: 

"I have just returned from the 8th Regiment on a 
visit to Wm. P. Lyon. Colonel Lyon, of the 13th, he is 
now. Found him rather poorly. He has been sick about 
a week, but the surgeon says that he is now on the gain. 

* This was the last of my service with the 8th Regiment. While 
I was 111 the regiment nioved dow^n to Tuscumbla, past luka. I went 
over to Corinth on my recovery and resigned as a Captain of the 8th. 
Bartlett took the place of Captain of Company K. Smith had been 
made Captain of Company B. He was a fine soldier and popular. I 
went home for a month on leave of absence. A few days after I left 
Price came and the rebels were whipped. There was a good deal of 
fighting about there then. After I left, the 8th was in the fight that 
is called the last battle before Corinth. When I felt able to go on 
duty again I went to Madison and mustered in as Colonel of the 13th 
and went back South. I found my regiment at Fort Henry. — W. P. L. 



56 REMINISCENCES 

I should judge from what I learned that he has beeu 
quite sick, but the doctor says that there is no danger 
but that he will get along now. He is relieved from 
duty in the 8th and will join his regiment, the 13th, at 
Columbus as soon as able. His disease, the doctor says, 
is a slow, dull kind of fever. It will take time for him 
to get over it, but he does not apprehend any danger at 
all. I think he is a little worried about himself, espe- 
cially as the 8th is about moving some seventy miles to 
Tuscumbia, Ala., and his surgeon thinks he had better 
go with them, for a while at least, as they understand 
his case and think it would be better than to put him 
into strange hands. It is not certain that the regiment 
will go farther than luka, about 25 miles on the Mem- 
phis and Charleston R. R. William went on the cars. I 
happened there just in time to see him a little while and 
help him aboard. I took his cot into the car, so that he 
cculd lounge at leisure. When I left him he seemed very 
comfortable indeed. I tried to get him to come and stay 
\^ith me until he got able to join his regiment, but he 
thought he would enjoy himself better to wait until he 
was able to be about some. I shall expect him in about 
a week. I should not much wonder if you should see 
him in Wisconsin in less than a month, as he will hardly 
be fit for duty in less than two months. William's com- 
pany feel like orphans, almost. I find he was a regular 
pet in the whole regiment. He will receive the very best 
of attention, and I do not think there is au}^ cause of 
alarm, as the doctor says that all he requires now is good 
nursing." 



OF THE CIVIL WAR 57 

COLONEL LYON'S LETTERS. 

"Aug. 12, 1862. — The reason I have not written be- 
fore is that I am flat on my back. I was attacked on 
Saturday night with pneumonia, very suddenly, and al- 
though much better have not sat up any since. 

"I got my commission this morning as Colonel of 
the 13th Regiment. As soon as I am able to close my af- 
fairs here I shall go to Columbus. I am not seriously 
sick, so do not be frightened. If I can get a short fur- 
lough I will do so. Do not under any circumstances try 
to get here, for it is utterly impossible now for a woman 
to get past Columbus." 

"luka, Gen. Hospital, Friday, Aug. 28, 1862.— Here 
I am, flat on my back with remittent or intermittent 
fever, I do not know which. I am slowly recovering, the 
fever growing less and less every day and the doctor says 
it will entirely disappear in a few days more. I have 
had typhoid fever, the doctor now tells me. I suffer no 
pain now, but for the flrst few days I suffered a great 
deal. I was taken down Saturday evening, the 9th 
inst., very suddenly and severely. Our regiment has 
gone to Tuscumbia, thirty miles east of here. If I should 
get worse I will try to go to Columbus and send for you, 
as no woman is allowed to travel this side of Columbus 
without a special permit from General Grant. 

"Dr. Thornhill, our surgeon, is in charge here, and 
is very attentive to me. Dr. Murta took most excellent 
care of me until he had to leave with the regiment. I am 
taking large quantities of quinine. Have had no appe- 
tite. 

"I received my commission about the time I was 
taken sick. An order has been made by General Rose- 
crans relieving me from duty here and directing me to 
report to General Grant for further orders. My inten- 
tion is, as soon as it is proper for me to leave here, to 



58 KEMINISCENOES 

go to the regiment and close up some company business 
tliere; then report to General Grant and if possible get 
permission to go home to purchase horse, equipments, 
etc. If I succeed and get there by the 1st of October I 
shall do well." 

"luka Springs, Miss., General Hospital, Sunday, 
Aug. 31, 1862. — I am still here, you see, but I assure you 
that I am very greatly improved. The fever has now 
entirely disappeared, 1 think, for I am gaining strength 
rapidly. I can now walk across the room without help. 
My appetite is fair, but not ravenous. My principal food 
is mush and molasses, a little broiled beefsteak, and 
black tea. Dr. Thornhill promises to let me go to the 
regiment, the 8th, as soon as it will answer, which I 
think will be in a few days, say three or four, just long 
enough to recruit a little. Dr. and Mrs. Thornhill have 
been very kind to me during my illness, as was Dr. 
Murta while I was with him. John Humphrey and Wil- 
liams have taken most excellent care of me and have 
spared no effort to make me as comfortable as possible. 
1 owe my rapid recovery to the excellent nursing I have 
had, in a great measure. 

"Immediately after receiving my commission as 
Colonel of the 13th, General Rosecrans made an order 
relieving me from duty in the 8th and ordering me to re- 
port to General Grant, who is at Corinth ; so that is my 
first move when I am able ; and I expect to be ordered to 
join my regiment, with a short leave of absence, which 
can not exceed twenty days, to purchase outfit, etc., but 
don't be too sanguine, for I may fail to get leave. The 
legiment have been paid lately to the 1st of July, but 
not being with them I w^as not paid. I expect to be paid, 
however, when I report to General Grant, up to the time 
when my pay as Colonel commences, which I suppose is 
August 5th. I believe the pay of a Colonel is $218 per 
n^onth, at least it was. Of course, my expenses will he 



OF THE CIVIL WAR 59 

mucli larger than they have been. My outfit will cost a 
good deal, horse, saddle, pistol, sword, mess chest, uni- 
form, etc., etc. 

''I do not allow myself to pine inordinately for 
home, but I look upon my illness in a distant land, away 
from the comforts of home and the tender care of my 
wife and friends, as one of the sacrifices that I am called 
upon to make for my country, and I try to make it cheer- 
fully." 

"luka Springs, Miss., General Hospital, Thursday, 
Sept. 4, 1862. — On Monday I learned that the regiment 
had to leave Tuscumbia the next morning, and fearing 
that I might not see them again, without asking leave of 
any doctor I jumped on the train and went there. Gen- 
eral Rosecrans was on the train and said: 'Why, Cap- 
tain, where are you going?' He thought it was rather 
venturesome of me to take the trip, but said he thought 
if I took plenty of quinine and whisky there would be 
no danger of my being worse, and he pressed his own 
flask upon me. 

"Tuscumbia is thirty miles east, and in Alabama. 
The boys seemed pleased to see me. I stayed with them 
that night and saw them off in the morning. I felt bet- 
ter in the morning for my trip. A few hours after the 
regiment left, a courier was dispatched recalling it; and 
it is now in Tuscumbia without doubt, although they had 
not yet arrived when I left. I found the boys all well 
and in fine spirits. I feel ver^^ well, the only trouble 
being weakness, and I am rapidly gaining strength. T 
weigh 138 pounds, having lost but 20 pounds during my 
sickness. I still live on beefsteak, tea, and mush and 
molasses. I have no fever, sweats, aches or pains of any 
kind, and the natural blackness is rapidly spreading over 
my countenance again." 

"Camp 16th Wis. Vol., near Corinth, Mon. a. m., 
Sept. 8, 1862. — I got away from the hospital Saturday 



60 REMINISCENCES 

night and came to Corinth yesterday morning. Sent 
word to Sperry, who came after me with an ambulance, 
took me first to General Grant's headquarters, two miles 
out of town, and then brought me here. I found every- 
thing all right. Eesigned as Captain, which was ac- 
cepted, and I go to headquarters again today to be mus- 
tered as Colonel of the 13th.* This is only for conven- 
ience and to have my pay going on. It looks squally 
about my getting home, I am improving too rapidly for 
that. I leave tomorrow morning for Columbus. I met 
Captain Smith at Corinth yesterday. He says he heard 
in Cairo that the 13th had gone up the Tennessee river to 
Fort Henry. This is uncertain. Sperry is hearty." 



The 13th Regiment had gone to Fort Henry. One of 
the officers, Levi Billings, came home with Mr. Lyon, as 
he was then so feeble that they would not allow him to 
come alone. He stayed in Racine for three weeks, then 
went to Madison and was mustered in as Colonel of the 
13th Regiment and joined the regiment at Fort Henry. 



"Fort Henry, Tenn., Oct. 8, 1862. — I am just ready 
to commence my series of semi-weekly letters. I had a 
long trip, or, rather, took a long time to get here. I 
stayed in Chicago Thursday night, Friday night slept on 
the cars, getting to Cairo early Saturday morning, Sat- 
urday afternoon went to Mound City, returning to Cairo 
Sunday morning. Bought a horse for $150. Monday 
afternoon went to Paducah. Tuesday afternoon started 
up the Tennessee on a 7 by 9 steamboat, getting here 

* Not being able to get a leave of absence If I mustered as Col- 
onel, I postponed the muster and returned home as a private citi- 
zen. — W. P. U 



OP THE CIVIL WAK 61 

eiirly Wednesday morning. I met with a most cordial 
reception from everybody. I assumed command and 
held a dress parade last evening. There are but six com- 
panies of the regiment here. Two are at Donelson, one 
at Hickman, and one at Smithland. 

"We have a pleasant situation, and the Quarter- 
master pitched in yesterday and made me very comfort- 
able. I have a large tent, with a good table, bedstead 
(all rough, of course) and many other little conven- 
iences. I board at present with the Quartermaster and 
one of the Captains, and live well. I am constantly get- 
ting better. My cough and cold have entirely disap- 
peared. 

"I am trying to get a good negro and wife and go 
to housekeeping. Would you like to call on us? It 
looks as if we might remain here for some time. There 
is no settlement here, nothing but troops, and not many 
of them. The main trouble is that the river is so low. 
But few boats come here from the outside world more 
than once or twice a week. This will account for any 
delay in the receipt of letters from me. 

"Write me all you know about the part the 8th took 
in the late fight at Corinth, also the 16th. I am very 
anxious to hear about it. I hope the 8th was not in, but 
suppose it was. The 16th must have been engaged. 
There is another battle I have lost by reason of my pro- 
motion. 

"After the river rises, so that boats run more freely 
on it, if it still looks like remaining here some time, I 
think you must try to come and see me, but I do not dare 
to have you bring the childdren. The river will probably 
rise in November." 

"October 15, 1862. — The river is still low and nearly 
isolates us from civilization. I am slowly gaining 
slrength. I ride some, but find it rather fatiguing. The 



62 REMINISCENCED 

position of Colonel of a regiment is no sinecure, I assure 
you. I think that I shall earn my wages. 

"I see that those terrible battles of Corinth have 
struck close home. You have, of course, heard that 
Sperry Northrup was killed. A letter from Andrews, the 
sutler, informs me that he was shot through the heart 
while skirmishing on Saturday morning, the 4th inst. 
Poor Katie and the children ! My heart bleeds for them. 

"I see, too, that the 8th has lost heavily, but am 
without particulars, except that Lieut. Fellows of Com- 
pany K is wounded, also two or three of the boys. There 
are doubtless many more of them hurt, but I have not 
seen the full list. 

"Although by coming to this regiment I have 
escaped a terrible peril, perhaps death, yet I almost re- 
gret that I was not with the brave boys that I led for a 
year, in the hours of their recent terrible peril. But 
God governs, and we may safely trust our destinies to 
Him. 

"There is no prospect of any fighting in this vicinity 
at present. There are a few ragged guerilla bands thirty 
or forty miles from here, but they run whenever our cav- 
alry comes near them. It begins to look as though we 
should winter here. We are moving the camp a short 
distance to better ground, and I am making all my ar- 
rangements with reference to your coming. I have taken 
a little stock in the contraband line, having a man and 
his mfe on trial. I think they will suit me. Their names 
are 'Jerry' and 'Minerva,' aged 32 and 27, respectively — 
no children. The wench is supposed to be the most ill- 
looking one in the camp. She is washing for me today. 

"I think that I am rapidly gaining the confidence 
and respect of the officers and men of the regiment. I 
have really a very fine regiment, indeed. Almost the en- 
tire membership was recruited from residents of Rock 
county and closely contiguous territory, and embraces 



OF THE CIVIL WAK 63 

the best material in that favored portion of our state. A 
large number are either graduates from or students in 
Milton College, Company K, commanded by Captain 
Norcross, a graduate of the State University, is com- 
posed largely of members of this class. I feel honored to 
be assigned to the command of such men. As soon as I 
have streng-th I shall commence drilling it thoroughly, 
thus fitting it to fight if we are sent into the field. I 
shall make no effort to get into the field. That is a re- 
sponsibility which I dare not assume." 

"Fort Henry, Tenn., Oct. 19, 1862. — We moved our 
camp yesterday upon better ground, one-fourth of a mile 
distant, all except the quarters of the field and staff of- 
ficers, to be removed tomorrow; so, being isolated from 
the regiment, I am having a very quiet Sunday, indeed. 

"We are having beautiful Indian summer weather, 
with cool nights. The only drawback is the heavy fogs 
that gather along the river every morning, producing 
agues and intermittents among the men. Ten per cent of 
our men are reported sick, that is 60 out of 600, the num- 
ber we have here. This will subside in a month or so, and 
then I think you must come here, provided things look 
as though we would remain for some time longer. 

"I am feeling perfectly well, and perform all my 
duties without difliculty, but find that I am far from 
having my old strength. I take the best possible care of 
myself, keeping out of the hot sun and out of the fogs 
as much as possible. You know it is the easiest thing in 
the world for me to keep out of a morning fog. 

"I have not given you any particulars of this com- 
mand, and will do so now. This military district em- 
braces Forts Henrj^, Heiman, and Donelson. By look- 
ing on the map you will see that Kentucky extends a few 
miles farther south on the west side of the Tennessee 
river than it does on the east side. Fort Heiman is in 
Kentucky, on the west bank of the river, close to the 



64 REMINISCENCES 

state line of Tennessee. Fort Henry is on the east bank 
of the river, about one-half mile below, or north, of a 
point opposite Fort Heiman. Fort Donelson is fifteen 
miles southeast of us, on the west bank of the Cumber- 
land. These places are called forts, but the guns are all 
taken away but one or two, and they amount to nothing 
as fortifications. The district is commanded by Colonel 
Lowe, of the 5th Iowa Cavalry, who is said to be a care- 
ful, excellent officer. He has been absent ever since I 
came here, and so I have not seen him. 

''The forces at the three points are the 83d Illinois, 
13th Wisconsin, four companies of the Tlst Ohio, the 5th 
Regiment of Iowa Cavalry, and four pieces of field artil- 
lery; or, more correctly speaking, two sections, eight 
companies of the 83d and two of the cavalry and one sec- 
tion of artillery are at Donelson, and the balance of the 
force is here and at Heiman. In the absence of Colonel 
Lowe the district is under the command of Colonel 
Harding of the 83d, a rich old fellow from Illinois, with 
no military training whatever. He is as brave as Julius 
Caesar and is a grand man, and I am very fond of him. 
Last night I got a telegram from him ordering me to 
move this morning with all of my available force to 
Canton, thirty miles distant, thence to La Fayette, 
thirty miles farther, where we would be thirty-five miles 
from here. The commanding officer of the cavalry had 
received the same orders. The object of the expedition 
was no doubt to chase a band of thieving guerillas who 
infest the region of La Fayette, but who mounted on 
fleet horses always run at our approach. We knew that 
it was useless to go after them and that Colonel Lowe 
if here would disapprove of the expedition; so we held 
a council of officers to devise the best way 'how not to do 
it.' The result was that we sent a couple of smooth- 
tongued officers to Donelson to coax the old Colonel off 
the notion. They succeeded, and at two o'clock this 



OF THE CIVIL WAR 65 

morning the order to march was countermanded by tele- 
graph. The only loss was part of a night's sleep. 

"We are not in decently respectable peril here, and 
yet these posts must be held by somebody. Our great- 
est privation is want of mails. I have not heard a word 
from home since I left. I expect a mail tomorrow morn- 
ing. You did right to have father go to Mauston to see 
and comfort poor suffering Katie and her family. 

"Since commencing this, four companies of my regi- 
ment have beeen ordered on a six-days' expedition in the 
country." 

"Fort Henry, Tenn., Wed. a. m., Oct. 22, 1862.— 
There is a boat going down and I think I will write a 
few lines to let you know that I am well. We are having 
beautiful weather now, Indian summer days and cool 
nights. This morning we had quite a frost and but little 
fog. When these fogs disappear and the ague subsides 
it will be safe for you to come. I think that we shall re- 
main here the most of the winter." 

"Fort Henry, Tenn., Monday, October 27. — I do 
not dare to have you come until a little later. In the 
meantime I shall go on and get ready for you. If I can 
get lumber I shall build a little shanty. My tent has a 
good floor in it and so it is comfortable except in a cold 
wind. It is about the size of our parlor. We could get 
along very well in it, but perhaps better in a good board 
shanty. We had a snow storm Saturday. All went off 
the next day. The box came all right. The pickles and 
peaches I gave to the sick boys in the hospital. I am 
saving the cake till you come, 

"I had a letter from Augie Weissart, of Company 
K, from Corinth. He gives all the casualties of the 
battle." 

"Fort Henry, Tenn, 2 o'clock Thursday a. m., Oct. 
30, 1862. — The celebrated guerilla chief, Morgan, is at 
Hopkinsville, Ky., about fifty miles north-east of us. 



66 EEMINISCENCES 

Trith a force variously estimated at from 1,500 to 2,500. 
We expect to march in the morning in connection with 
forces from Port Donelson and Paducah, under com- 
mand of General Ransom, now in Paducah, to fight him, 
unless he runs away. 

"Colonel Lowe, the permanent commander here, 
who has been absent ever since I came, is between here 
and Paducah, and will be here tomorrow morning, or 
lather this morning, early; which will relieve me from 
the responsibility of commanding the expedition. I 
have, however, to make all the preliminary arrange- 
ments, and have been up all night issuing orders, tele- 
graphing to Fort Donelson, Paducah and Columbus, and 
getting ready generally. The regiment knows nothing of 
the expedition yet, as I have not called them out. I am 
feeling first rate and in most excellent spirits. My only 
trouble is that my legs are rather weak and I can not 
ride much on horseback. I shall walk or ride in an 
ambulance mostly, and have no doubt but I shall stand 
the trip finely. We shall probably be gone a week. If 
we can clean out Morgan we break up guerilla opera- 
tions in these parts and thus do the country and our 
sacred cause good service. It is time I called up my 
men, and must therefore close. Be a heroine, be calm, 
although danger may surround me, and trust in the kind 
Father of us all for safety and protection." 

"Thursday evening. — A variety of circumstances 
prevented us from getting off this morning, one of 
which was the failure of Colonel Lowe to return this 
morning. We have had an anxious day, fearing the 
boat was captured by the guerillas. We go in the morn- 
ing down the Tennessee forty miles, and then across to 
the Cumberland, by land, of course, to Eddyville, thence 
to Hopkinsville, We meet General Ransom and the 
forces from below where we leave the river. The men 
are in high spirits, and so am I, in view of our expedi- 



OP THE CIVIL WAR 67 

tion. We want to get these guerillas scattered before 
we feel quite willing to have our wives come to us. We 
hear this morning that Morgan has skedaddled. I cele- 
brated my birthday by drilling my regiment in battalion 
drill for the first time." 

"La Fayette, Ky., Tuesday, Nov. 4, 1862.— We are 
at La Fayette, Ky., 18 miles east of Fort Donelson, near 
the line of Tennessee. We have marched between forty 
and fifty miles. I feel first rate. Kode over yesterday 
and shall go on this morning. Do not think we shall get 
a fight, but we make the guerillas skedaddle, I assure 
you. Stop a week or more before we get back from 
camp. Weather beautiful. 

"We are holding an election this morning. Tell 
Mr. Parker that I have cast a vote for him. I send this 
ty a train going back to Donelson. I ride on horseback, 
in the ambulance, and go on foot, about equal doses. I 
get along finely and improve rapidly." 

"Fort Henry, Tenn., Wed. p. m., Nov. 12, 1862.— We 
have but just arrived from our expedition. The mail is 
just going out and I have but time to say that I am well, 
having improved in strength rapidly since I have been 
gone. I got so I could ride on horseback all day. Mor- 
gan gave us the slip, but we ran upon Woodward, who 
has a band out there. There were 15 of their men killed. 
Our loss, two killed and a few slightly wounded. The 
killed were cavalry; the wounded, our men. The 13th 
are good fighters. 

"We marched 180 miles, went to Canton, La Fay- 
ette, Hopkinsville, Garretsburg (where the fight oc- 
curred), and Fort Donelson." 

"Fort Henry, Tenn., Sunday, Nov. 16, 1862.— My 
letters recently have been few and hurried. I am now 
able to give you a more full account of our expedition. I 
have a feeling of quiet in my comfortable tent, with the 
rain falling outside. My round of duty is ceaseless, yet 



68 REMINISCENCES 

ii is no burden to me, for I have the cordial co-opera- 
tion of officers and men, all of whom seem to have a sin- 
cere respect for me. In addition to my regimental 
duties, I am commander of this post, which adds some- 
what to my labors. I like Colonel Lowe, the commander 
of this district, well, and we get along together first 
rate. He compliments me very highly upon the im- 
proved condition of this regiment since I assumed the 
command of it. He lives on the steamer Ewing, spend- 
ing most of his time at Fort Heiman over the river op- 
posite. Now for our march. 

"We went down the river forty miles to Chaudet's 
lianding, October 31. Thence we marched southeast to 
Canton on the Cumberland river, in Trigg county, Ken- 
tucky; thence southeast to La Fayette; thence north- 
east to Hopkinsville, Christian county, Kentucky; 
thence south to Garretsburg, near the line of Tennes- 
see, and all about that place. Here we overtook Wood- 
ward's gang, fought, and drove them; were only under 
fire a short time. We then went back to Hopkinsville, 
getting there Friday afternoon, the 7th; stayed there 
until Sunday afternoon ; came back here by La Fayette 
and Fort Donelson. 

"The country about Hopkinsville is very fine, and 
Hopkinsville is a beautiful place and very healthy. It 
is the most loyal town we have found, having furnished 
a large number of troops for the Union army. It is the 
home of General Jackson, who was killed at the battle 
of Perryville. We, the officers, enjoyed largely the hos- 
pitality of the citizens and found much refinement 
amongst them. We were the heroes of the battle of Gar- 
retsburg, you know, and that is a great event with these 
people! I attended church in Hopkinsville last Sunday 
morning and heard a fine discourse from the Kev. Dr. 
Nevins, a Presbyterian, and a sterling Union man. The 
people in that region have suffered terribly from the 



OF THE CIVIL WAR 69 

raids of guerilla parties ; and after witnessing- the effects 
of this war there, and, indeed, everywhere in the South, 
I am more and more thankful that you are out of the 
range of these sufferings and that I can bear the whole 
peril for all of us. 

"I expect that Colonel Lowe will start another ex- 
pedition soon after a guerilla gang under Napier, some 
Mtj miles south of us; and we shall doubtless form a 
part of it. When I get back from that trip I think I can 
give you marching orders to come here, for it really looks 
as though we should winter here. 

"Lieut. -Col. Chapman and Captain Woodman of 
the Thirteenth started North yesterday, and both of 
them partly promised to visit you before they return. 
They live in Green county. The captain is a young 
married man and a finished gentleman. He and Colonel 
Chapman are among my very best friends. I am sure 
you will enjoy a visit from them. Several officers will 
send for their wives, I think, after we return from the 
proposed expedition; among them Captain Ruger, of 
Janesville. We will arrange to have you come with 
them." 

"Tuesday, Nov. 18, 1862.— I will scratch off a few 
lines, especially as it is our wedding anniversary. I 
presume you have celebrated it in due form by a gath- 
ering of the family, and I know your heart fondly whis- 
pers, 'I wish he were here.' I have commemorated the 
day by thinking over, as I often do, our married life and 
the almost unalloyed happiness we have enjoyed, and in 
anticipating the future and still greater happiness which 
I believe is in store for us." 

"Fort Henry, November 20, 1862. — Four of our 
companies go up the river tomorrow on an expedition. I 
do not go. Do not be frightened about guerillas. They 



70 REMINISCENCES 



are great cowards and will not fight if they can help it. 
They are mere thieves, and a thief is always a coward. I 
do not at all fear being killed. Something constantly as- 
sures me that I am coming home to you safely. Now, 
don't get up a presentiment the other way." 

"Fort Henry, Nov. 26, 1862. — We have had no mails 
for several days. The last mail brought one letter from 
you. It bears date of August 16th, redirected and for- 
warded by Bartlett from Corinth. The uncertainty of 
mails is very annoying. 

"I write today, as I am detailed to act as President 
of a general Court-Martial which convenes here tomor- 
row, and I shall probably not have any leisure again for 
a few days. Our Major, Bigney, has just joined us, and ' 
relieves me from some duty. He is very much of a gen- 
tleman, besides being a good officer. 

"I showed my black folks all of your pictures today. 
Jerry was much taken with Willie, saying: 'He will 
make a bully man if nothing happens.' They are faith- 
ful, excellent people, but they put on some airs because 
they wait on the Colonel. Minerva is now cooking for 
some officers who live with the Lieutenant-Colonel when 
he is here. She is in a great hurry for you to come, so 
that she can get out of that arrangement and wait on 
you. I am going to build a log house in the rear of my 
tent for them to live and cook in. 

"We have battalion drill every afternoon, but to- 
morrow being Thanksgiving Day at home I give the boys 
a, holiday. I should be happy to eat fried oysters with 
you on the occasion, but I suppose I shall be obliged to 
go on with the Court-Martial." 

"Fort Henry, Sunday evening, Nov. 30, 1862. — The 
last day of each month is inspection day in the army, so 
I have been engaged all day in making a minute and 
thorough inspection of my command — not only of the 
dress, arms, accoutrements and appearance of the men, 



OF THE CIVIL WAR 71 

but of their tents, kitchens, cook-houses, shanties, cook- 
ing utensils, dishes, etc. Fancy me examining tin 
plates, dish kettles, coffee pots, knives, forks, spoons, tin 
cups, and the like ; threatening to send dirty cooks to the 
guard house, praising the clean ones, ordering altera- 
tions, suggesting improvements, etc. ; in which duty I 
was accompanied and assisted by the Major, Adjutant 
and two of the surgeons ; and you will have a very good 
idea of inspection day. I give special and constant at- 
tention to the cleanliness of the camp, and it is now one 
of the cleanest I ever saw and is constantly improving, 
for the officers and men enter most cordially into the 
spirit of the thing. 

"I am still on a general Court-Martial. It is a great 
bore, too, much like practicing law. The day has been 
warm and cloudy. This evening it rains copiously, but 
my tent is warm and dry and as cozy as you could wish 
were you here to enjoy it with me, as I trust you will be 
before many weeks elapse. We shall live in the most ap- 
proved style. Colonel Lowe still intends an expedition 
after Napier." 

"Fort Henry, Dec. 4, 1862. — We are going after 
Napier and his band tomorrow, and you may not hear 
from me for ten or twelve days. The teams and the cav- 
alry go tomorrow morning by land, and we go Saturday 
morning up the river forty miles by water. The rebels 
are supposed to be at Waverly, ten or twelve miles from 
where we propose to land, east of the river. Our trans- 
portation, that is, teams, provisions, etc., go up on the 
west side for greater safety. We have a four-gun gun- 
boat to convoy us up the river. I don't know how many 
rebels there are up there, but probably not enough to 
induce them to fight us. We shall probably chase them 
about the country for a week or two and then come back. 
If we can clean out that force there is nothing left in our 
beat for us to fight. 



72 REMINISCENCES 

"I will answer your questions. We are in General 
Grant's command, which is called the Department of 
West Tennessee." 

"Fort Henry, Dec. 5, 1862. — We had a lovely snow 
storm last night, three inches deep, but the weather is 
mild. Our expedition is postponed in consequence until 
further orders. I should not wonder if it turned out one 
'grand fizzle,' after all." 

"Dec. 11, 1862. — There is a boat between Paducah 
and here that has Captain Woodman on board, and it is 
supposed that the wives of Captain Ruger and Lieuten- 
ant Bowerman are also passengers. Mrs. Chapman, wife 
of the Lieut.-Col., is here. I dined with them on Tuesday 
on wild turkey. 

"I have kept you on the rack some time now con- 
cerning our expedition. Well, you see, it has not come 
off, and I will tell you why. Just as we were ready to 
start, we learned that Napier was strongly reinforced by 
the troops of Woodward and Forrest, with considerable 
artillery, and that Morgan was some fifteen miles north- 
east of Clarksville, and about forty miles from Fort 
Donelson, waiting for us to go up the river in order to 
pounce upon Fort Donelson and take it. His force was 
reported at 3,000 men, with four pieces of artillery. So^ 
instead of starting for Waverly, we held ourselves in 
readiness to march to Donelson at short notice. Then, 
no longer ago than yesterday. General Rosecrans tele- 
graphed us that Forrest Avas advancing on Fort Henry 
(from Waverly, I suppose), and would certainly attack 
us. We rather liked this, for we have here two gunboats, 
one carrying four and the other two heavy guns, 24- 
pounders, and we had also one 12-pounder, and five 
rifled, six-pound guns on shore; and we would fight and 
whip 5,000 of these fellows should they attack us here 
without siege guns. 

"Well, todav one of our scouts came in from Wav- 



OF THE CIVIL WAR 73 

ei'lj, and he reports only 500 men there under Napier, 
with no cannon except two 12-pounders, which they cap- 
turued from one of our boats that ran aground up the 
Tennessee river last summer. He says that neither For- 
rest nor Woodward is there at all, and discredits the 
story that Morgan is anywhere in this section of country. 
As soon as Colonel Lowe can be satisfied upon the latter 
point, we shall move on Waverly. 

"Of course, we shall get no fighting, but we go to 
administer a little justice to a few of the rebel ringlead- 
ers in that region, and they need it badly. Were I in 
command I think I should make the expedition forth- 
with; but Colonel Lowe is a very prudent, cautious of- 
ficer — too cautious, I sometimes think — and will not 
move until he is assured of success. In the meantime 
our preparation for winter progresses finely. 

"In addition to our tents, we have about sixty log 
houses, which the boys have built, and some of them are 
really nice and cozy. Many of the officers have them, but 
I prefer a tent." 



FROM MES. LYON's DIARY. 

Paducah, Ky., Dec. 12, 1862.— I met Captain Wood- 
man, with Mrs. Ruger and Mrs. Bowerman, as I was 
looking for an omnibus in Chicago. Both the ladies are 
young brides, and quite pleasant. We all went up yes- 
terday to examine the fort. It is a very strong fortifica- 
tion. It commands the Ohio, Cumberland and Tennes- 
see rivers. They fired a blank cartridge in honor of our 
visit. It was a thirty-four pounder. I could scarcely 
hear anything for some time after. 

There is a rumor here that the rebels (6,000) are 
near Fort Donelson and preparing to attack the fort, 
and that they have sent to Fort Henry for reinforce- 



74 EEMINIBCENCES 

nients. There are two ladies here waiting to go to Fort 
Donelson. The last boat load that went up took along 
firearms to defend themselves, as the boat might be fired 
into or captured. It is not a pleasant idea. We saw 
here for the first time well-dressed Southern ladies chew- 
ing tobacco and spitting behind the backlog. 

Dec. 14, 1862. — We took the boat in the afternoon, 
but did not come very fast from Paducah, as we had to 
tow a barge of coal. It made the boat so heavy we came 
very slowly. This coal is for the expedition William 
wrote about that he was going with. We had to tie up to 
a tree and stay all night, 20 miles from Paducah. 

Fort Henry, Dec. 16, 1862, eight o'clock. — Captain 
Ruger and Lieut. Bowerman came to the boat to meet 
their wives, but William had not the least intimation of 
my coming and stayed snugly in his tent until we were 
nearly here, when Captain Hewitt ran in and asked him 
if he knew that his wife had come on the boat. William 
said: "No, and if you have deceived me you shall be 
court-martialed." It was a complete surprise. He 
could not get over it all the evening. After we had gone, 
to bed, a party came and serenaded us. The music was 
very sweet. They had a fiute, violin and guitar. After 
serenading us, they went to Colonel Chapman's and to 
Captain Ruger's and Bowerman's. They have a double 
log-house for both families. I can't say that I like sleep- 
ing out of doors. My first experience was rather un- 
pleasant. The tent post was one of the bed posts. The 
wind blew quite hard that night, and we rocked about 
as you would in a boat in a gale, but we have remedied 
that. It seems so noisy, living in a tent, and so exposed 
- -only a thin cloth between you and the outside world. 
I think I should prefer a log cabin ; but William enjoys 
this so much, he wonders that I should not. We have a 
little stove and are quite comfortable. 



OF THE CIVIL WAR 75 

Dec. 25, 1862. — The ladies all joined and got up a 
Christmas dinner for the officers. 

Dec. 28. — The regiment returned from their recent 
expedition, all safe, not having found the enemy at all. 
We made up our minds that we were now going to have a 
good visit, but a dispatch arrived from Colonel Lowe 
with orders for the Thirteenth to go to Paris, as there is 
a strong force of rebels there, to prevent the Unionists 
from voting for their Congressional member. They are 
to have their election today. I fear our men will not get 
off so easily again. The men are completely tired out 
from their march, being in camp only one night. They 
started from here about five o'clock p. m., and will have 
to march all night to get there. This expedition is en- 
tirely under William's supervision. His orders were to 
disembark at Paris Landing, and after that to do what 
seemed proper to him. He has two companies of cavalry 
with him. When he told me yesterday that they were 
going, I told himi that I intended to go home on the gun- 
boat, but he begged so hard for me to stay that I told 
him I would stay unless I heard bad news from home. 
He feels as badly as I do that he can not be with me, and 
says that they will surely be back in a few days. 

The weather is perfectly beautiful. It is so warm 
that I do not pretend to put anything around me when 
I go out. The birds are singing as they do with us in 
the spring. The Eighty-Third Illinois Regiment from 
Fort Donelson has just passed, to join the Thirteenth in 
the expedition. 



1863. 



Fort Henry, Tenn., Jan. 5, 1863.— The last time I 
wrote, William was off on the second expedition. They 
returned on Wednesday, dissatisfied at not being al- 



76 REMINISCENCES 

lowed to go into Paris. They were ordered to stay eight 
miles this side, as the rumors were that Forrest had too 
many men for our forces to fight. Our pickets were 
driven in, but they captured four horses and arms. 

We have just heard the good that the expedition did. 
The rebels did not know how much force we had, but 
heard and imagined that there were four times as many 
as there were. So they turned and went the other way 
and so came in contact with General Dodge and his 
army, and had a battle and were badly beaten. 

Forrest and Napier had joined forces. Napier was 
killed and we have taken 900 prisoners, so report says. 
I expect the Thirteenth will be ordered away from here 
before long, as General Ransom is determined to have 
them. 

Fort Henry, Tenn., Jan. 14, 1863.— A party of 
twenty of us went to Fort Donelson, returning the same 
day. While going there the carriage in which I rode 
broke down, upset and rolled us all out in the road in 
fine confusion. Except a few slight bruises nobody was 
injured. Mrs. Stanton fainted away and we had to take 
her into a house. Here we saw for the first time the 
filthy habit of dipping. They take a small stick and 
chew the end of it into a brush, then stick it into Scotch 
snuff and rub it all around their teeth. 

Jan. 18, 1862. — It rained all day the 14th and to the 
16th, when it turned to snow. The snow is eighteen 
inches deep, but I do not think it will last. It is not 
cold. The river is high and rising fast. Our camp is on 
an elevation above high- water mark. 

Fort Henry, January 21, 1863. — Trying to clear off. 
Company H, Captain Noyes, has gone up the river on a 
scout. The Tennessee has risen from ten to fifteen feet 
in two days, and if this snow should go off with rain it 
Avould rise considerably more. We have been perfectly 
comfortable in our tent. A gunboat and three trans- 



OF THE CIVIL WAR 77 

ports loaded with hospital supplies were captured on 
the Cumberland river the same night we were in Don- 
elson, 

William sent to Paducah for two chairs for us. We 
had to sit on cracker boxes before. One of the soldiers 
says that he will put some rockers on mine. 

Jan. 27, 1863. — We had a pleasure excursion down 
the river on the Nevada. Went fourteen miles, to the 
Dutch grocery. Took a long tramp in the woods. Tw^o 
negroes cut down two hickory trees for us to gather the 
nuts. We had to return to the boat on account of rain. 
There has been a terrible battle at Murfreesboro, we hear. 

Attended a pleasant dancing party given by Mrs. 
Lowe on the boat Ewing. We all enjoyed it very much, 
it was such a new experience. We did not go back to 
camp until after ten o'clock (after taps they call it), 
and not one of the officers had the countersign, so 
when we got to the picket there were a number of of- 
ficers waiting for the Colonel to give them the counter- 
sign. In his hurry to get ready he had not thought to 
get it, but I had opened the note and was, therefore, the 
only one in the crowd who knew it, so I had to whisper 
it to the guard before they would let us pass. I often *go 
to the hospital and take some little good thing to the 
sick boys. They appreciate it, I can tell you. 



COLONEL LYON'S LETTERS. 

"Feb. 3, 1863. — Our mails are very irregular. All 
the steamers are used by the Government to carry troops 
to Vicksburg and Nashville. There are no signs of our 
being ordered away from here at present, although I 
should not be surprised if we had a march and a fight 
soon. We get intelligence that the rebels in large force 



78 REMINISCENCES 

are preparing to obstruct the passage of the Cumber- 
land river between Donelson and Clarksville. If so, 
thej must be dislodged, as the use of the Cumberland is 
indispensible to General Rosecrans. A late order trans- 
fers us from General Grant's to General Rosecrans' 
command." 

"February 6, 1863. — We received the intelligence 
en Tuesday afternoon at one o'clock that the rebels were 
advancing on Donelson. The only forces there were the 
83d Illinois, Colonel Harding, and Flood's 2d Illinois 
Battery of four pieces. Colonel Harding had also a 32- 
pcunder siege gun in position. One of his companies 
was absent, so that the whole defensive force there was 
less than 700 men, Avith five pieces of artillery. 

"We could not ascertain whether the rebels were in 
large force, and we apprehended that the attack there 
was only a feint, and that the real point of attack would 
[)e Fort Henry. Colonel Lowe hesitated, therefore, to 
send reinforcements until the necessity was apparent. 

"Finally we got a dispatch that the battle had com- 
menced, and I was ordered to push rapidly over there 
(it is fifteen miles from here) with the Thirteenth. Soon 
after we left the telegraph wire was cut, which showed 
that the enemy were in our path. Colonel Lowe started 
reinforcements to me. Six miles this side of Fort Don- 
elson my advance guard was fired into and fell back to 
the main body. This was after dark. I formed a line of 
battle and reconnoitered in front. The first men that 
advanced in front of our lines were fired upon and 
wounded. We reconnoitered carefully in front, and 
hearing heavy firing renewed at Donelson, I pushed on 
with the main body, moving slowly, with skirmishers 
deployed to the front. 

"In the meantime Colonel Lowe learned that we 
Avere attacked and sent me three pieces of artillery and 
more infantry. I moved slowly and cautiously to within 



OF THE CIVIL WAR 79 

two miles of Donelsoii, occasionally sending couriers in 
advance to ascertain the situation of things at the fort, 
for up to this time we had no intelligence from there. 
We passed the point where the rebel force on our road 
had been stationed. We learned from citizens that they 
had 300 or 400 men there, who retreated on our ap- 
proach. 

"About midnight one of our couriers returned with 
intelligence that the road was clear, and we moved on to 
the fort. We found, when we arrived there, that the 
place was attacked between one and two o'clock by at 
least four thousand rebels with from ten to thirteen 
pieces of artillery. They were commanded by a Major- 
General Wheeler and two Brigadiers, Forrest and 
Wharton, The fight lasted until night. The rebels sur- 
rounded the place, their lines running from the river 
bank above to the river bank below the town, which is 
surrounded by high hills. What is called Fort Donel- 
son is really the village of Dover, The fortifications are 
abandoned and did not figure in the fight. They charged 
repeatedly upon our men, but were invariably repulsed. 
The history of this war shows no such fighting as was 
done by the 83d Illinois and Flood's Battery. Without 
fortifications, except slight breastworks improvised for 
the occasion, inferior in artillery, and 700 against 4,000, 
they fought for hours, through ravines, over hills, 
through the streets of the village, behind houses, in com- 
panies, by squads, and often single-handed, they con- 
tested every inch of ground until night ended the con- 
flict. And to render the condition of these gallant men 
more desperate, at four o'clock the battery was out of 
ammunition. 

"The regiment was never in battle before, but every 
man fought like a veteran. At night, with their lines 
drawn closely around the town, and their batteries all in 
position to renew the attack in the morning, the enemy 



80 REMINISCENCES 

sent in a demand to Colonel Harding to surrender the 
place or take the consequences. The Colonel replied 
that it was against his orders to surrender and he must 
therefore 'take the consequences.' All the time I knew, 
as did also Colonel Harding, that several gunboats were 
on their way up the Cumberland river and would reach 
Donelson on Tuesday evening. The rebels knew nothing 
of this. 

"The gunboats arrived about eight o'clock and 
opened fire with eight-inch DahlgTens upon the rebels, 
scattering them in dismay out of our reach. Early in 
the morning we found that they were rapidly retreating 
southeast, in the direction from whence they came. The 
slaughter amongst them was terrible. The morning 
after we arrived there I looked over the ground and 
dead bodies could be seen in every direction. Up to 
Wednesday evening our men had buried 125 dead rebels, 
and they were still being found and brought in. We 
find the houses all along the line of their retreat filled 
with their wounded, and they took off all that they could 
move. Their killed will, I think, amount to 200 and 
their wounded to 600 or 800. The most remarkable cir- 
cumstance of the whole affair is that the loss on our 
side was only 11 killed and 41 wounded ! 

"This battle was fought a mile or more from old 
Fort Donelson. We have since learned that it was their 
intention to capture Fort Donelson and then move their 
whole force on to Fort Henry and take that fort also. 
There are great stores of supplies and provisions, as well 
as arms, here. Hence they threw out a strong force on 
the Fort Henry road to retard the advance of reinforce- 
ments from here; and then when they got Fort Donel- 
son they could throw their whole force on us, they 
thought, and exterminate us. It was well planned — the 
theory was perfect — ^but it did not work well. 

"Yesterday we returned to our old quarters. Be- 



OF THE CIVIL WAR 81 

fore leaving Donelson, however, we saw the Twenty- 
Second Wisconsin, which, with 20,000 to 30,000 other 
troops, were there on their way to Nashville and Mur- 
freesboro. They have buried 70 men and left 150 sick 
behind them. The regiment is not in a good condition. 
I marched the Thirteenth down to the boat on which 
was the Twenty-Second, drew up in line, gave them a 
few rounds of cheers, said 'Good-bye,' and left for home. 
"They got news in camp after we left for Fort Don- 
elson that we were fighting, and the fact that Colonel 
Lowe was constantly pushing reinforcements to me 
seemed to confirm it, and the women got quite nervous 
about us." 



MRS. LYON'S DIARY. 



Fort Henry, Tenn., Feb. 4 — A dispatch from Col- 
onel Lowe yesterday called the Thirteenth to Fort Don- 
elson. We had a night of great excitement. All the men 
went out of camp except the sick, and all that could 
stand up on their feet followed. We heard that the Thir- 
teenth was fighting about six miles out. We could hear 
the cannon boom once in a while. After dark, and all 
night, the couriers were running. They brought news 
that some of the officers were killed. I had to bear this 
alone, for I could not tell the wives, and thought it 
might not be true ; and if it was I did not want to be the 
one to tell them. We packed up everything, and were 
ready to start at a moment's notice. We were to take 
the boat and go down the river a few miles. After mid- 
night the ladies all got together in our tent and talked. 
They seemed to depend upon me. I felt myself a very 
weak stick — I knew of these reports, and felt so nervous. 



82 



REMINISCENCES 




MAP OF FORT HENRY, TENN., FEB. 28, 1863. 
DRAWN BY COLONEL, LYON. 



OF THE CIVIL WAR 83 

FROM COLONEL LYON'S LETTERS. 

"Feb. 9, 1863. — There is a report that Van Dorn is 
advancing upon us from the southwest with a large 
force, which may be true. Many of the rebel army are 
in a starving condition. It was for that reason they 
were so anxious to get in here. 

"The weather is very warm, with lots of mud. We 
are doing some work on fortifications and giving the 
rebels some chance to do us a good turn if they choose 
to give us a call. If we are attacked here at any time w^e 
shall put the women on a steamer and send them a few 
miles down the river." 

"Fort Henry, Feb. 13, 1863. — No excitement here 
now about an attack, yet we may have a fight in a week. 
These matters are all uncertain. Secesh comes like a 
thief in the night. We are always ready." 

"Feb. 20, 1863.— Night before last I had informa- 
tion leading me to believe that an attack here was quite 
probable, and as a measure of precaution I had all the 
women pack their trunks and get ready to 'vamose the 
ranch,' at double quick if necessary. We were up most 
of the night. We were misled by the telegraph operator 
at Fort Donelson. In the morning all was explained 
and we resumed our usual equanimity. Colonel Lowe is 
absent, and the whole responsibility in case of an at- 
tack here is on me. 

"A very heavy wind last evening made our tent and 
Adelia's nerves shake considerable, but I made every- 
thing right by holding down the tent pole." 

"Feb. 28, 1863. — The water is very high, and rising 
about one foot in 24 hours. It is at least 30 feet above 
its ordinary height last fall. We have built a bridge of 
I'lgs over the ravine (see map), as the water rose, and I 
think it must be 15 feet high and 20 to 25 rods long. The 
logs are laid up crib fashion, with plank on top. A rise 



84 REMINISCENCES 

of four feet more will cover the ridge nearest the river 
and drive our troops out of the fort. A rise of five or 
six feet will let steamers run up to our camp. They 
could come up now through the ravine were it not for 
the trees. 

"The weather is delightful, just like your most 
pleasant May. This is a gi-eat country for frogs. They 
keep up a terrible clatter every night.'' 



MRS. LYON'S DIARY. 



Feb. 22, 1863. — Another scare. There is a large 
rebel force at Waverley. The boys in the hospital are 
all better, except one poor Norwegian, who is dying of 
homesickness. I tried to encourage him, but it was of 
no use, he is so despondent. 

Feb. 27, 1863.— Went with the ladies to the pho- 
tographer's. Took a long walk on the new bridge and 
to the sutler's. Mrs, Warren treated us to some apples, 
being the only lady that had any money. Nearly pay 
day. 

Feb. 28, 1863. — Went to inspection and muster. 
Called at the hospital. A large party of us visited the 
old Secesh camp. Their chimneys are still standing. It 
was all dry and pleasant there. 

March 3, 1863. — William was telegraphing with 
General Eosecrans until ten o'clock respecting Van 
Dorn. We are threatened with an attack. We are get- 
ting quite used to this now. 

March 4, 1863. — The regiment has just received 
orders to march to Fort Donelson and leave at once. I 
expect we women will have to go home. 

March 5, 1863. — Stayed with Mrs. Hewitt all night. 
We hardly slept a bit. We were afraid of guerillas. 



OF THE CIVIL WAR 85 

There were strange men all through the camp in the day 
time. We were afraid they might come again at night. 
There is but a small guard left here to protect us. No 
boat yet. 

March 6, 1863. — Raining, and no boat. I decided to 
go to Fort Donelson. We got there near dark, tired 
almost to death. Found Minerva quite sick. All the 
Icidies came here and we got supper for them, two ambu- 
lance loads. William came out to help the ladies out. I 
came out first and he was so glad to see me that he took 
me into the house and forgot what he went out for, but 
was excused. They laughed at him and joked him. He 
had secured a large room in a large house for headquar- 
ters. We will try living in a house for awhile. 

Fort Donelson, March 8, 1863. — The rest of the 
women came over today. Mrs. Twist and Mrs. Norton 
stayed with the other privates' wives — the husbands 
stayed as guards. The roads are awful. They had no 
arrangements made, so they made a field bed for the four 
women and children. Raining all the time since we 
came. 

Fort Donelson, March 9, 1863. — We don't do much 
but cook. There is a large family of us. It is lucky that 
we have a large room. 

Fort Donelson, March 10, 1863. — Raining all day. 
Captain Woodman and the Rugers took dinner with us. 
The Armeda came with the rest of the ladies. They came 
around by Paducah. Only two ladies out of 24 went 
home. 



COLONEL LYON'S LETTERS. 



"Fort Donelson, Tenn., March 8, 1863.— On Tuesday 
last I had orders from General Rosecrans to evacuate 
Fort Henry and come here. This was soon followed by 



86 KEMINISCENCES 

another order to evacuate Fort Heiman also — thus 
abandoning the Tennessee river entirely. We marched 
here on Tuesday evening and arrived after mid- 
night, leaving Adelia at Fort Henry expecting 
that she would have to go home; but on send- 
ing back our wagons for baggage the next day, 
she and nearly all the ladies concluded to come here, 
which they did, arriving Friday night. 

"It is very troublesome to get the artillery and cav- 
alry across the river from Fort Heiman, and they are not 
all over yet. The high water causes the trouble, 

"I found on getting here that Colonel Harding had 
provided a room for me in a house occupied by him as 
headquarters, inside the fortifications, so we are quite 
comfortable. 

"I am glad to get the regiment away from Fort 
Henry, there is so much country under water there that 
I think sickness will prevail when the water subsides. 
This place is dry and hilly, without any overflow in high 
water. It is a healthy point. 

"There are a great many boats running up and 
down the Cumberland, taking supplies to General Kose- 
crans' army. I think there is no rebel force of any con- 
siderable size in this vicinity. We have a strong forti- 
fication, plenty of artillery, and a reasonable number of 
troops, and can whip almost anything that comes." 

"Fort Donelson, Tenn., March 12, 1863.— We are 
well and have gotten quite comfortabl}- settled after 
our move. The weather is very pleasant now, mud rap- 
idly drying up. 

"I don't know that I ever told you that our officers 
elected Dr. Smith, of Buffalo, Chaplain of this regiment 
some time ago. Just received a letter accepting the ap- 
pointment, but he will not join us probably for some 
weeks. 

"Business is very active on the Cumberland, as all 



OF THE CIVIL WAR 87 

the supplies for General Rosecrans' army go up this 
river. A fleet of twenty or more transports, convoyed by 
gunboats, left here this morning for Nashville. 

"You have doubtless heard ere this that the 22d 
Regiment, Colonel Utley, is captured. We have no par- 
ticulars yet. They doubtless fought gallantly. I do 
not think either the regiment or its ofiBcers are to blame. 
The period of our stay here is very uncertain." 



MRS. LYON'S diary, 



March 15, 1863. — We went to church and heard Mr. 
McKenney, Chaplain of the 71st Ohio, the first preach- 
ing I have listened to in three months. After dinner we 
walked to the burying ground, where the heaviest of the 
last battle was fought. There were a number of bodies 
picked up right here. Two battles were fought over this 
ground. It had once been decorated beautifully. There 
are a number of slabs that are box-shaped, handsome 
monuments, nearly all broken by cannon balls and 
shells. It makes a desolate place of it. After the last 
battle they dug pits and put from twenty to forty bodies 
in each grave, without even a box to shelter them. There 
are a great many interesting places around here, made 
so by events that will enter history. 

March 16, 1863. — The boys found a dead rebel in 
our quarters, buried about six inches below the surface. 

March 17, 1863. — We all went out to see the dress 
parade. The ground has been so muddy and broken that 
they have not had a parade latel3^ The Thirteenth Regi- 
ment surpasses them all. 

In the night the telegraph operator came to say that 
Colonel Harding was promoted to Brigadier-General. 
Most of his regiment, the 83d, came down here to con- 



88 REMINISCENCES 

gratulate him. They serenaded him, sang all kinds of 
war songs, and tried to get into his room, but all in vain. 
A boat came by with a band on it that played beauti- 
fully. 



LETTER FROM MRS. LYON. 

Fort Donelson, March 17, 1863. — The dangers that 
surround us have made us appreciate every hour to- 
gether. Our train went over to Fort Henry day before 
yesterday, and on coming back yesterday they saw a 
number of rebels, who probably meant to attack the 
train but saw it so strongly guarded that they let it 
alone. 



LETTER FROM COLONEL LYON. 

"Fort Donelson, March 24, 1863. — I suppose you 
have heard lots of rumors about the 13th having surren- 
dered Fort Donelson. The rebels have not been here in 
force since they were so awfully whipped. There are 
guerilla parties, but they dare not attack a place so well 
fortified. 

"We are getting to be quite aristocratic, we live in 
a large house with Brigadier-General Harding, formerly 
Colonel of the 83d Illinois, the regiment that fought the 
late battle here. 

"Yours of the 1st of March came to hand in due time. 
We were a little curious to know how you knew at that 
time that we were coming here, when we did not know it 
ourselves. The first intimation we had of it was a tele- 
gram from General Rosecrans to me, March 4th, order- 
ing the force at Fort Henry over here. We had, however, 
expected orders to go to some other point, for some time, 



OF THE CIVIL WAR 89 

as Fort Henry was all under water and there was no 
earthly use in keeping troops there any longer. 

"Fort Heiman, opposite Fort Henry across the Ten- 
nessee river, is a commanding point. That fort was also 
evacuated, but has since been occupied by troops from 
General Grant's department. There is no prospect of an 
immediate fight here, but this is a sort of key position 
and any little change of program on either side may 
make it the scene of heavy conflict. This post will doubt- 
less be occupied by considerable of a force for some time, 
or at least until there is some decisive change of affairs 
in this region." 



MRS. LYON'S DIARY. 



March 19, 1863. — The 83d gives a grand party on 
the Ewing tonight in honor of Colonel Harding. We 
shall go. 

March 20, 1862. — There is to be a grand concert to- 
night on the Ewing, given by Professor Wootock. We 
are all invited and shall go. 

March 21, 1863. — The concert was grand. They 
varied the program by once in a while dancing a cotil- 
lion. The music was chaianing. We all enjoyed it im- 
mensely. 

We found three rebel graves in our dooryard. The 
bodies were buried about six inches deep. They were 
buried as they retreated, we suppose. Poor fellows, it 
will never be known! 



LETTER FROM COLONEL LYON TO ISAAC LYON. 

"March 25, 1863. — We live in a house now and have 
a large room with a fireplace. We have partitioned off a 



90 REMINISCENCES 

bedroom in one corner, and are building a kitchen near 
by for our colored folks. We live mostly on the usual 
rations, with eggs and butter added. We pay twenty 
cents for eggs. Have bought no butter yet. We live in 
constant expectation of a paymaster. The Government 
owes me now over $1,000. I only expect to get about 
f 450 at the next payment. 

"At present we are not menaced with an attack 
here, and we have the means with which to make a stout 
(defense should we be attacked; but a movement of the 
rebels against the right flank of General Rosecrans' 
army would be very apt to strike us. If, as is now re- 
ported, the rebels are evacuating Vicksburg and rein- 
forcing Bragg, we shall have stirring times in this 
vicinity before spring is gone. 

"I suppose you have heard the report that Fort Don- 
elson was taken and the 13tli had gone the way of the 
22d. The story was made out of whole cloth by some 
lying telegraph operator." 



MRS. LYON'S diary. 



Fort Donelson, March 31, 1863. — There is a house 
over in Dover with 650 bullet holes in it, and one corner 
of the cornice, or corner of the house roof, was taken off 
entirely by a shell at the time of the fight. The rebels 
got into that house and shot from it. The 83d did not 
like this and ordered them to surrender. They held out 
for some time, but at last surrendered. Captain Morril 
(afterward Governor of Kansas) lives in this house 
now. 

April 1, 1863. — We all went on an excursion on the 
Nevada, up to the rolling mills, a beautiful spot. We 
got some interesting specimens of slag. Colonel Lowe 
accompanied us. We had a very pleasant trip. 



OF THE CIVIL WAR 91 

LETTER FROM COLONEL LYON. 

"Fort Donelsou, April 2, 1863. — You have heard, no 
doubt, that the balance of the 22d Regiment (Colonel 
Utley), is 'gobbled'. What a poor, unfortunate regiment 
it has been and is! There is, however, no stain of dis- 
honor upon it. When it passed up the Cumberland in 
February last the men appeared dejected, and the regi- 
ment was not, for some cause or other, in a good shape. 
Now it is ruined. I would go down to a bloody grave, 
oh, so cheerfully, rather than live to see the 13th in the 
condition that the 22d is in." 



MRS. LYON'S diary. 



Fort Donelson, April 3, 1863. — Great excitement in 
camp. We were awakened this morning at three o'clock 
with the news that Van Dorn has a force at Palmyra. 
They attacked a fleet that was going to Nashville and 
disabled a gunboat. The orders are to move the sick on 
the boat and the ladies to pack ready for a move to the 
boat if attacked. 

Fort Donelson, April 5, 1863. — The scare is over. 
Van Dorn has proven to be Woodward. We are still 
quiet and safe and do not expect an attack from him. 



LETTERS FROM COLONEL LYON. 

"Fort Donelson, April 9, 1863. — At present there 
seems to be no considerable force of rebels in our vicin- 
ity, and we are resting very quietly. 

"We held an election on Tuesday for Chief Justice. 



92 KEMINISCENCES 

Our nine companies have cast 385 votes, of which Dixon 
received 357 and Cothren 28; majority for Dixon, 329. 
Our other company is at Hickman, Ky. 

"We are doing much Avork upon the fortifications 
here and will soon have a strong fort in a strong posi- 
tion. 

"A few days ago, April 3d, some gunboats were fired 
upon with artillery above here, uuder circumstances that 
led us to apprehend an attack here. We sent off our 
sick, and all our women packed up ready to start, but no 
enemv came." 



MRS. LYON'S DIARY. 



Fort Donelson, April 10, 1863. — Five gunboats 
went by this morning. Woodward's force fired into two 
boats with artillery and sank them. They were laden 
with sutler's stores. A detachment of the 13th went 
up the river. 

April 11, 1863. — Orders came to have the 13th, five 
companies of the 83d Illinois, two of the 71st Ohio, and 
five of the 5th Iowa cavalry, Colonel Lyon commanding, 
go out twelve miles to the relief of Major Young. 

April 12, 1863. — The gunboats destroyed Palmyra 
on the 9th. Regiment returned all safe, did not see the 
enemy. 



LETTER FROM COLONEL LYON. 

"Fort Donelson, April 13, 1863.— We have had a 
little expedition. One Woodward, a rebel, has a force 
of about 2,000 men with artillery up the river, harrass- 
ing boats. We had a force up about twelve miles in the 
country, and hearing that Woodward was intending to 
ti-y and cut it off, I was sent out early Saturday morn- 



OF THE CIVIL WAR 93 

ing- with reinforcements to give him a fight if he came 
around ; but he did not come, so we returned last night 
— without a fight, as usual." > 



MRS. LYON'S diary. 



Fort Donelson, April 15, 1863. — Had a slight scare. 
Five or six of the 83d boys were just outside of the 
pickets and were taken prisoners. It did not amount to 
much of a scene. 

April 18. — An expedition went out in ambulances 
this morning to the old fighting ground of two years' 
ago. It was very interesting to wander over the ground 
where so many had fallen. It makes one feel very sad. 

April 21. — I am packing up to go home. We go on 
the Ewing as far as Paducah. Nearly all of the officers 
and wives came and spent the evening with us — quite a 
surprise party. 

April 22. — Mrs. Wemple quite sick. We were going 
home together. She feels so badly about my going 
without her, and William does not want me to go alone 
and has put a veto on my going yet. 

April 25. — One of Company B's boys was drowned 
today while bathing. 

April 26. — Went to church. Took a long walk, 
gathered flowers. Haley, the scout, has been after his 
family farther South, in the Secesh regions. He had to 
go on the sly and keep hidden while there whenever he 
went to see them. So William sent a guard with him 
and an ambulance and brought them here — his wife and 
wife's mother, and two children. His little girl three 
years old had croup the night before while they were on 
the road. She seemed very hoarse, but did not seem sick 
when they went to bed, but at two o'clock she died in 



94 REMINISCENCES 

great suffering. She was a beautiful little golden- 
haired child. 

May 1. — Our pickets were fired into last night. One 
man was wounded and two were captured. When we 
feel the most safe we appear to be in the most danger. 

May 8. — The cavalry brought in several prisoners. 
The Hinsons were amongst them. 

May 9. — A large party of us started for Nashville. 
William could not go, it is too bad. We went as far as 
Clarksville and stayed there all night. We took a long 
walk all over Clarksville. We went with quite a little 
fleet, two gunboats in front and one behind. There is 
danger of the rebels capturing the boats. 

May 10. — We sat on deck nearly all day to view the 
scenery, which is very picturesque. The gunboats 
shelled the bluffs. There are different places where they 
had cannon stationed, but they did not trouble us. We 
sat on the bow of the boat to watch the shells explode. 
We arrived at Nashville without seeing a rebel and very 
few contrabands. We got there just in time to go to 
church. Went to the Methodist Church and heard the 
minister preach Secesh principles. 

May 11. — Went up in town to trade and see the 
sights. Took dinner on the boat. After dinner had a 
carriage and drove all over the city. Went to the capitol 
and all over it. Saw President Polk's residence and 
visited his grave. It is in his own garden, or dooryard, 
in front of the house. SaAv the residences of Colonel 
McNara and Colonel Heiman. Mr. Hill's garden has a 
fountain and gold fish. Saw the Confederate General 
Zollicoffer's residence and John Bell's. Went to the 
State Prison ( a little out of town ) . Went back to the 
boat and could not get supper and had to go baek to the 
city to a restaurant. 

May 12. — Had a great time last night. Had to 
change boats and took the Prairie Maid. Had several 



OP THE CIVIL WAR 95 



hours this morning and went into the city. Called on 
the Chief of Ordinance, Captain Townsend. Went back 
to the boat after strolling around all we wanted to, and 
started for Fort Donelson. Got to Clarksville and went 
into the city to the college, now used for a hospital. 

May 13. — Arrived at Fort Donelson early and had 
breakfast on the boat. 

May 21. — Colonel Lowe has gone away and left Wil- 
liam in command of the post. I hope we will not have a 
scare. 

May 22. — A large party of us went on board a gun- 
boat. It was very interesting to see how they work the 
guns. 

May 24. — News just came that Vicksburg is evacu- 
ated. Colonel Lowe sent word to have the guns fired and 
the flag raised. 

May 25. — All the forces in camp had a grand re- 
view. It was an inspiring sight. 

May 27. — Mr. Stanton came to our quarters before 
daylight and said that the boat had come and would 
wait an hour. I got ready and we walked over to the 
landing and took the boat Sunny Side. We have parted 
Viith our husbands^ — perhaps to meet no more on earth. 
It was a sad parting, but we will hope for the best. God 
is good, and in His infinite mercy He doeth all things 
right. 

Arrived at Smithland about two o'clock. Mrs. 
Chapman left us here. We were sorry to part with her. 
We realized here that we had forgotten Eachel and had 
to go back to camp after her. She had found out that 
the boat had arrived and was all ready. [Rachel was a 
colored woman that I had promised to take to Chicago 
with me.] We changed boats at Smithland. Some of 
the party took a Government boat in the night, but we 
preferred to wait for the packet. We were late and the 
boat left us. 



96 REMINISCENCES 



May 29. — We took the cars for Chicago. When out 
a, few miles I wished Rachel to come into our car. They 
would not let her at first, but I spoke to the conductor, 
and he said if she belonged to me she might come into 
our car. I told him that she belonged to me as much as 
one human being could belong to another, any way I 
was taking her home with me. He went into the other 
car for her and found two men claiming her, who were 
going to take her off at the next stopping place. She 
denied ever having seen them before, but they insisted 
that she belonged to one of them and that he should take 
her off ; but I stopped them by saying that she belonged 
to me, and I suppose that I looked black enough to be a 
Southern woman; so they let her alone and I took her 
into the ladies' car. She was going to one of the Chicago 
suburbs, and when we got to the junction she bade us 
good bye. The train stood by the side of the one she was 
going to take, but a little while after we started the con- 
ductor brought her back to us. She had gone down a 
few cars and got on again. We had a good laugh with 
her, but she was out of danger now and could go back 
at any time. 

May 30, 1863. — Arrived home safely. 



OF THE CIVIL WAR 



97 




Donelson, May 27, 1863.— Our Court 
is still running. I have attended 
very faithfully to every duty that 
would keep me away from the 
house. It is so lonesome here! Col- 
onel Chapman acts worse than I do, 
but I know he doesn't feel any worse. 
I organized our mess and commenced 
today at dinner with the Adjutant 
and Quartermaster. General Harding arrived this 
evening from the front, on his way to Illinois. He has 
an indefinite leave of absence, and if ordered back will 
probably resign." 

"Fort Donelson, May 28, 1863. — An expedition of 
cavalry has gone towards Waverley. Colonel Lowe left 
this morning for Murfreesboro. Our officers returned 
from there the morning after you left. General Rose- 
crans asked the Major whether when the fortifications 
are done some of these troops could not be spared to go 
to Clarkesville." 

"Fort Donelson, May 29, 1863.— The Ewing has fin- 
ally got here and will go down about Sunday. We get 
rumors of disaster to Grant at Vicksburg, but refuse to 
believe it yet. I learn that some of the troops at Fort 
Heiman have been ordered dow^n there. If we were in 
that department now we should probably be sent, too. 
We may be as it is. They have had bloody work down 
there, and I tremble for the old Eighth where I have so 
many good friends. We get reports that Bragg's army 
has disappeared from Rosecrans' front, but know noth- 
ing definite." 

"Fort Donelson, May 30, 1863.— The expedition 
from Waverly has just returned. They bring a report 
from Waverly that it was seen on fire yesterday — acci- 



98 EEMINISCENCES 

dental, of course. It has been a pestiferous nest of trait- 
ors always and ought to be wiped out." 

"Fort Donelson, May 31, 1863.— The officers are 
with me considerable to prevent my getting lonesome. It 
is one of these beautiful mellow moonlight evenings so 
peculiar to this climate. 

"I have given a number of negroes passes to go down 
on the Ewing." 

"Port Donelson, June 1, 1863. — The Ewing went 
down this morning. We are trying George Hinson as a 
spy. I sent out a cavalry scout and Companies H and G, 
Captains Noyes and Randall, this morning down the 
river a few miles. I had heard that old Hinson was 
there with a party of guerillas. I was not sure, but it 
Vv^as my duty to find out the facts. Company F has been 
to Clarksville guarding a fleet and has just returned. 
We have not had a boat from below for three days." 

"Fort Donelson, June 2, 1863. — Weather cool and 
cloudy. River is rising a little. H and G returned to- 
day. Found no enemy. We have a rumor that Wood- 
ward, with 1,500 men and four pieces of artillery, is on 
Yellow Creek, thirty miles from here. 

"The fort progresses finely. We have all four of 
those 32-pounders in position now. The brigade band is 
about organized and we shall have lots of music soon, I 
suppose." 

"Fort Donelson, June 3, 1863. — Colonel Lowe was 
telegraphed for on account of the sickness of his wife, 
and the command of the post will doubtless be on my 
shoulders for some weeks. There is no danger at pres- 
ent that we shall be sent away from here. I do not like 
to have this responsibility upon me at all, but must 
stand it, I reckon. Captain Ruger starts out in the 
morning to make his surveys, or rather to commence 
them. His wife will worry for fear he will be shot by 
guerillas. When you write to her tell her that I will 



OF THE CIVIL WAK 99 

keep a strong guard of cavalry and infantry with him, 
and will do everything possible for his safety that I 
can." 

"Fort Donelson, June 4, 1863. — Soon after I went 
over to headquarters this morning, an order came to me 
from General Eosecrans to send the 5th Iowa Cavalry to 
Murfreesboro, and then another directing me to gather 
up horses and mount enough infantry for patrols, pick 
ets and scouts. The cavalry will cross the river tomor- 
row and march by Clarksville and Nashville. The 1st 
Wisconsin Cavalry, now at Eddyville, will join them at 
Clarksville. This order settles matters here by throwing 
the command of this post on my shoulders, and probably 
fastens us here for some time. I do not know, but pre- 
sume, that Colonel Lowe will have a cavalry brigade at 
the front. We don't hear a word from him. You know 
I feared this result when Colonel Lowe was ordered to 
headquarters. The responsibility of this command is 
heavy and I would gladly avoid it. It would be a very 
honorable command for a Brigadier-General, and is a 
larger and more responsible one than many of them 
have. Unless there is some change I have a laborious 
and anxious summer before me, but I will try to get 
along with it. I shall start an expedition in a day or two 
for horses." 

"Fort Donelson, June 5, 1863. — Last night the brass 
band came about eleven o'clock and gave me a serenade. 
I had been asleep two hours, but had to get up, dress, go 
out and make a little speech. 

"The cavalry crosses this afternoon and are off for 
good tomorrow morning. They feel pretty sober. I 
send out Major Bond and six companies of infantry to- 
morrow after horses. A and B go from the 13th. Little 
Johnny, the Adjutant's orderly, was mad this morning. 
He said, 'I give five dollar to know who tied my mule 

L OF C. 



100 REMINISCENCES 

loose last night.' I shall keep the Adjutant as Post Ad- 
jutant." 

"Fort Donelson, June 6, 1863. — The cavalry started 
today — Major Bond's expedition also, and it is very 
quiet here. I have been beset today by women whose 
husbands are in the guard-house — citizens. One com- 
plained that she had eight small children and nothing to 
eat. Her husband was caught taking a load of whisky 
South some time since. I promised to investigate the 
cases soon. 

"You recollect a Court-Martial at Port Henry last 
\^inter, of which Lieutenant Warren was a member. 
They sentenced a private in Flood's Battery to be shot. 
The sentence has just come back approved, with a direc- 
tion to Colonel Lowe to execute it. As Colonel Lowe is 
named in the order I do not like to shoot the fellow with- 
out further orders. He is the worst desperado I ever 
saw. He is the fellow that used to break his fetters so 
often last winter, and once he escaped. He has slipped 
his handcuffs twenty-seven times and proposes to make 
it a round thirty before he gets through." 

"Fort Donelson, June 7, 1863. — I have a hard, anx- 
ious summer before me. At home some, I suppose, will 
think that it is a nice thing to have the command of a 
post like this, garrisoned with a large force, with a fori 
and lots of artillery, and no commander over you but 
General Eosecrans. It is a very honorable command, 
one that a higher and more experienced ofiftcer might 
well be proud of; but when you remember that it is a 
place much coveted by the rebels, one where several 
bloody battles have already been fought, and where we 
have always been victorious; a place that no com- 
mander would surrender so long as he had a man left to 
fire a gun ; a place where above all others death would be 
preferable to defeat, and where we are almost entirely 



OF THE CIVIL WAR 101 

out of the reach of reinforcements for several months in 
the year if attacked, you can imagine that the responsi- 
bility more than equals the honor of the position. 

"The most pressing work now is to finish the fort, 
build the magazine, build a guard-house inside the 
works, procure forage to last all summer, get a light- 
draught steamer to carry our mails as long as possible ; 
mount, equip and organize about 200 men for scouting 
purposes; besides several minor matters which require 
attention. 

"When these things are accomplished I shall ask for 
a leave of absence. Do not let any one out of the family 
see this letter. It is egotistical, and I have no right to 
be that with outsiders. 

"The telegraph wires are down between here and 
Clarksville." 

"Fort Donelson, June 9, 1863. — All quiet on the 
Cumberland. It is raining some tonight. Mr. Hillman, 
a wealthy iron manufacturer on the river below Canton, 
stays with us tonight. My duties keep me very busy 
nearly all the time. 

"The Nevada arrived today, bringing back Dr. Hor- 
ton, Bardwell and Haley. Haley is much better. His 
family are seventy or eighty miles above Cairo. Captain 
McConnell has received his commission as Colonel of the 
71st Ohio. The officers of the 83d have their commis- 
sions also. 

"Major Bond's expedition returned with between 
fifty and one hundred horses and mules." 

"Fort Donelson, June 11th, 1863. — It has rained 
considerably lately. The river is rising. There are five 
boats here tonight. They go up the river tomorrow 
morning. I send a guard of three companies under com- 
mand of Captain Randall with them to Clarksville. They 
will escort back the Paymaster, who is there. I send the 



102 REMINISCENCES 

iNevada to bring them down. We shall be glad to see 
the Paymaster. 

"Fort Donelson, June 12, 1863.— Nothing but the 
regular routine has transpired today. There has been 
no chance to send off a mail for several days. I will send 
the Nevada down when she returns from Clarksville. 
There are several boats on the shoals below and we have 
to stop all the boats from above to take part of their 
cargoes. 

"We have not had any bushwhacking about us since 
I have been in command, and I do not expect much of 
it. I tell the citizens that they can have the burden of 
a military occupation of their country very light or they 
can have it very heavy, just as they please. They desire 
to take it light. 

"Captain Morrell is quite feeble and has asked for 
leave of absence. He will probably get it." 

"Fort Donelson, June 13, 1863.— None but light- 
draught boats can go up the river now, and not many 
of them. 

"I have had a small bed put in my room for the Pay- 
master to occupy. I hear of Hinson's gang, forty strong, 
three miles from the rolling mill, but having no cavalry, 
I can not pursue him. He has not molested us yet." 

"Fort Donelson, June 14, 1863. — We have had a 
very quiet day. It really seemed like Sunday at home. 

"I heard of Hinson this afternoon with his gang 
four miles from here, near the Fort Henry road. I sent 
Colonel McConnell with nine companies to drive him 
out. The troops take different routes. I have but little 
hope of overhauling him with infantry. 

"The river is falling rapidly. There are several 
boats here, which I propose to send up in the morning, 
and they are probably' the last that will go up this sea- 
son. 

"Companies E, C and H are out with Colonel Mc- 



OF THE CIVIL WAR 103 

Connell. Captain Knilans is in very poor health and 
has today applied for a leave of absence. 

"We are pushing the works here as fast as possible, 
and I think I shall get everything in good shape by the 
first of August ; and I have strong .hopes that I shall 
then be able to obtain a leave of absence." 

"Port Donelson, June 15, 1863. — I have been very 
busy all the morning getting off a fleet of boats up the 
river. Companies A and K go as guards. The Major 
(Bigney) started for Nashville for horse equipments for 
mounted infantry. Colonel McConnell's expedition 
found nothing of the enemy. 

"I have taken an inventory of the women and chil- 
dren in camp, as you requested me to do. The 83d Il- 
linois has 73, the 13th Wisconsin has 21, the 71st Ohio 
but one, the Batteries 15 — total 110. Major Haines is 
paying the 13th today, and when the command is paid a 
large number of these women and children will leave. 

"I send you a letter that I secured from a prisoner 
here who supposes that he is under sentence of death. 
He is a soldier in Flood's Battery and was tried by the 
last Court-Martial for murdering a negro and for 
forcing a safeguard. I thought it would interest you." 

The letter is as follows : 

In Prison, June 13, 1863. 
Colonel Lyon. 

Dear Sir : I understand that my sentence 
for the violation of the law is death. I am sorry 
that I ever acted in the manner that I did. I 
was drunk when I committed the horrible deed 
for which I am condemned to die, and I hope 
that you will intercede in my behalf — not for 



104 REMINISCENCES 



my sake alone, but for the sake of my wife and 
little child and my aged old mother, who taught 
me to lead a different life from this. I hope you 
will do something for me. You perhaps know my 
situation. I will do better in the future, lead a 
different life and try and live a better man. I 
will attend to all my duties punctually and 
faithfully. 

I have already been in prison once five 
months and suffered severe punishment. 

To appeal to our fellow man for aid is 
natural in times of need, it is inherent in us to 
do so — we do it for help^ — for aid and assist- 
ance. Colonel, I know that you are a man of 
good feeling — you must understand the nature 
of man. We are all frail beings — all liable at 
times more or less to err and be led astray. We 
can't see danger and ruin until it is upon us — 
and for the sake of humanity do something for 
me before it is too late, 

I hope all this will not be in vain, but that 
my life will be spared. 

Colonel, when you read this, think of my 
poor, helpless wife and child that will be left 
alone in the world with no one to look after 
them and provide for their wants. It is true 
that drunkenness is no excuse, but I would of 
(have) never committed the deed if I had been 
sober, I was not conscious of the deed when I 
committed it; if I had been I would not have 
done it. I know there is an eternity — a final 
reckoning for us all — and I hope I will be re- 
leased this time — and will never be guilty 
again. 

Your obdt. servt., 

James Little. 



OF THE CIVIL WAR 105 

"Fort Donelson, June 16, 1863. — I wonder what 
Canadian Secesh think now of our ability to whip the 
South. We had news last night that Port Hudson with 
12,000 had surrendered to Banks. If this is true the 
rebels have lost at least 75,000 men within two weeks^ — 
besides those strongholds, Vicksburg and Port Hudson. 

"Just now we are watching Morgan's course in In- 
diana with a good deal of interest, and some satisfac- 
tion. He has gone right into the worst Copperhead hole 
in the North and is teaching them, just as Lee taught the 
same class in Pennsylvania, that they have a personal 
interest in this war. Of course, he can not get out of 
there without being badly damaged. 

"You know how common it is for me to get word 
that a big force is just ready to pounce upon me, and yet 
it don't worry me much, not half as badly as it once did. 
Less than a week ago Colonel Bruce telegraphed me 
that Forrest was near Fort Heiman, advancing on Fort 
Donelson. I thought I knew better and was not at all 
disquieted. 

"Minerva was quite sick again, but is better. Jerry 
says, 'She is a right smart pearter this morning'. Jerry 
came in this morning before I was up, in high spirits. 
The Paymaster left in the night. Says Jerry, 'Colonel, 
that Major called me up before he left and gave me two 
dollars. He is a right smart man. He is a sensible man. 
Oh, he's got a power of sense, that Major has 1' So much 
for Jerry. 

"I have a beauty of a horse, a roan, gentle, quiet, 
easy under the saddle and afraid of nothing. He be- 
longs to the Government, but I shall have him appraised 
and buy him. 

"Asboth has taken the troops away from Heiman 
and sent them to Paducah. He says Paducah is threat- 
ened. It is no doubt a Columbus scare." 

"Fort Donelson, June 19, 1863. — I received official 



106 KEMINISCENCES 

communications yesterday from the rebel General For- 
rest, threatening to retaliate on prisoners in his hands 
if we did not treat Hinson and some other prisoners we 
have as prisoners of war. What a glorious chance to 
write him a spread-eagle, highfalutin letter in reply, 
and get into the newspaper ! I finally closed my eyes to 
all this sensational newspaper glory and sent the com- 
munication to headquarters without replying to General 
Forrest at all. 

"Things look blue. The position of affairs at Vicks- 
burg is full of peril. There is no hope at present in 
Virginia that I can see that any substantial progress 
will be made there. The rebels march with perfect im- 
punity into the heart of Pennsylvania, and there is none 
to molest or make them afraid, and all this because Con- 
gress fooled away four months of precious time before 
they passed the Conscription Act, and nearly four 
months more have passed and no men are called out 
under it. Much of the time has been consumed in allow- 
ing politicians to quarrel over the appointments of of- 
ficers under the law. Half a million more men could 
now have been in the field had Congress and the Admin- 
istration done their duty, and we would today be safe 
at every point ; but nothing has been done and disaster 
and defeat everywhere stare us in the face. With bloody 
graves yawning at our feet, we can only bow our heads 
and exclaim in bitterness of spirit : 'How long, O Lord, 
how long!' 

"You will think I have the blues. Not so. I think 
I see disaster ahead that will lengthen the war. I have 
no doubt of our ultimate triumph." 

"Fort Donelson, June 21, 1863.— I fear I wrote the 
last time in rather a depressing vein, but the news is 
much better now, so I feel much better. 

"Captain Kingman is detailed to take home money 
for our regiment. He is now out on an expedition. His 



OF THE CIVIL WAR 107 

brother, Lieut, Kingman, of the 22d, is here ; also Lieut. 
Booth, of the same regiment, a relative of Mrs. Wood- 
man. The regiment is at Nashville, under orders to go 
back to Franklin. They speak in the highest terms of 
Captains May and Mead, and well they can, for no 
braver or better boys than they live. 

"I spend the whole day at headquarters, and find 
plenty of occupation. Time passes more rapidly than it 
would were I unoccupied. I have been ordered to re- 
move obstructions from the river at Line Island, twenty 
miles below here, and at Ingraham Shoals near Eddy- 
ville. I sent Captain Ruger and Lieut. Balis and Lieut. 
Lamoreau to Line Island yesterday to make an examina- 
tion, and I think I will go myself to Eddyville on the 
same business in a few days. These obstructions are 
barges sunk in the river by Floyd when the rebels had 
possession in 1861." 

"Fort Donelson, June 28, 1863. — It has rained 
copiously four or five days and is still raining. The 
river has risen fifteen feet or more and is still rising rap- 
idly. We are almost sure of a fair stage of water for 
several weeks; which is, you know, a great relief to us. 

"Major Bigney returned last night from ]Srash\ille 
and Murfreesboro with saddles, equipments and arms 
for our mounted infantry. He brings news that General 
Rosecrans' army is advancing and that they have occu- 
pied Shelbyville without opposition, Bragg having left. 
Great events seem to be in progress East and West, the 
result of which none can foretell. 

"Our part of the program seems to be to hold Fort 
Donelson. The retreat of Bragg's army renders it highly 
improbable that we shall be attacked here this summer — 
if ever. 

"Captain Noyes went to Louisville with the Pay- 
master. He saw Colonel Lowe on Friday, en route for 
his command, which consists of five regiments of cav- 



108 KEMINISCENCES 

airy. His health is improved. He told Captain Noyes 
that he intended to telegraph to me confidentially that 
if I desired to go to the front he could get me there. The 
Captain told him that I had been to the front and hav- 
ing seen the elephant he did not think I was anxious to 
see him again. The movement of the army, however, 
renders any immediate change in our condition highly 
improbable, 

"The Reserve Corps, embracing all the troops left 
by General Rosecrans, is under command of Major-Gen- 
eral Gordon Granger, and he may refuse to give me 
leave of absence. I think I could have gotten it from 
General Rosecrans without difficulty. This Reserve 
Corps is organized into divisions and brigades. Ours is 
the Third Division, commanded by Brigadier-General R. 
S. Granger, Avho now commands at Nashville. 

"The troops here and at Clarksville are the 1st 
Brigade of the Third Division. The ranking officer now 
is Colonel Bruce, who will command the brigade, I sup- 
pose ; but as yet he has not assumed the command. This 
arrangement will not interfere with my authority here 
as the commander of this post, it being only for the pur- 
I)oses of organization. 

"The river is turbid and full of drift wood. Busi- 
ness will be lively on it while the high water lasts." 

"Fort Donelson, June 30, 1863. — Yesterday noon we 
had a terrific thunder storm. The building occupied 
by Lieut. Becker, of the artillery, in which was a large 
quantity of powder and loaded shell, was struck with 
lightning, the fluid tearing a gun to pieces within six 
inches of several barrels of powder. Had the powder 
ignited, the loss of life would have been fearful, as it 
is right in the midst of our camp. The escape was al- 
most miraculous. Several men belonging to Flood's 
Battery were knocked over, and one is seriously in- 
jured. He will probably lose his eyesight. Our maga- 



OF THE CIVIL WAK 109 

zine is now nearly done and we shall very soon have all 
our ammunition in it. 

"The troops at Fort Heiman have had a reverse. 
Lieut.Colonel Henry, the commander, took about 300 of 
his cavalry — nearly all he had — about a week ago, and 
went out on a scout. He got beyond Lexington, 70 or 80 
miles from Fort Heiman, when he was attacked by a 
large force of rebels and his command was nearly all 
killed or captured. The Lieut.-Colonel of the 4th Mis- 
souri Cavalry was killed, and Lieut-Colonel Henry 
probably captured. Of course, when the remnant of the 
force at Fort Heiman heard of it they had a big scare 
and thought the rebels would be right on them. I sent 
Colonel McConnell over there Tuesday night with six 
hundred men and four pieces of artillery ; but the scouts 
found no enemy near them, and the Colonel is marching 
back now, I suppose. How natural all this comes to the 
13th, march, march, march — and no fight! Aren't you 
sorry? 

"The guerillas don't trouble us any, although we 
hear of them twenty, thirty and forty miles off. As 
they are living on their friends I don't chase them. The 
rebel citizens are getting very sick of these fellows and 
beg us to send out forces after them. I tell them that 
they are only reaping the bitter fruits of their own folly, 
for they all encouraged the organization of these gangs." 

"Fort Donelson, July 2, 1863. — We are mounting 
our infantry under command of Major Bigney. He 
takes great interest in it. There are to be five compan- 
ies of forty men each. Fort Heiman is reoccupied by 
some of General Grant's command," 

"Fort Donelson, July 13, 1863, — John Morgan is 
making a raid in Indiana and I am glad of it. I should 
like to know how he will get out. We thought before he 
went in there that perhaps he would give us a call, and 
got ready for him. 



110 EEMINISCENCES 

"Things look well now — Vicksburg captured; Lee 
whipped and driven back, and probably ruined (Gettys- 
burg) ; Bragg retreating before Rosecrans; and Price 
whipped in Missouri. This rebellion is to be crushed 
out, and then we will pay our respects to those who have 
been hostile to us and have sought to cripple us in the 
hour of our deep adversity. 'For every insult you offer 
us, for every hostile act you commit against us, you will 
atone in blood and tears.' 

"The 71st Ohio has gone to Gallatin, about 22 miles 
northeast of Nashville. Major Bigney is appointed Di- 
vision Inspector, and will be absent the most of the time 
this summer. I did not make the order turning the 
women out of camp." 

"Fort Donelson, July 20, 1863.— A few days ago 
Hinson and three others, one of whom was a soldier sen- 
tenced to be shot, escaped from the guard-house. I did 
not want them to escape, of course, but it relieves me 
from hanging one of them and shooting the other. It is 
quite a relief, too, I can assure you. 

"The health of the troops is improving. We get 
large quantities of blackberries, and the effect of their 
free use is most excellent on the health of the men. 

"The officers elected a chaplain the other day. Rev. 
Mr. Foote, of Rock county. Two of Flood's Battery 
were captured by guerillas on Saturday. They were out- 
side the lines, drunk. It is reported that they have been 
murdered, but I can not believe it. They were worthless 
fellows." 

"Fort Donelson, July 25, 1863.— I fear I can not 
get a leave of absence at all, as the orders are very strict 
now, and none are granted except to save life or prevent 
permanent disability. It is a sore disappointment, but 
this I suppose is one^ — and not the least, either — of the 
sacrifices that I am called upon to make in this war. 

"I see no signs of our being moved from here, yet 



OP THE CIVIL WAR 111 

there may be some change of program towards fall. Of 
course, we do not know anything about our future move- 
ments." 

"Fort Donelson, July 28, 1863.— Adjutant Euger 
has his commission and will leave us very soon for the 
Potomac. I mean to have Scott commissioned as Adju- 
tant. Of course, I shall make him Post Adjutant if he 
is commissioned Regimental Adjutant. 

"Colonel Bruce was here on Saturday with his staff. 
I like him very much and think we will get along first- 
rate." 

"Fort Donelson, August 3, 1863. — I have finally ap- 
plied for a leave of absence. I have but little hope of 
getting it. If granted, I can not go to Racine before 
the 20th. 

"Mounted infantry from Clarksville were here on 
Thursday, and on their way home were fired into by 
guerillas in ambush about eight miles from here, and 
five of them badly wounded. One has since died and an- 
other will die. One of my companies, commanded by 
Uollister, was in that section and went after them, driv- 
ing them several miles." 

"Fort Donelson, Aug. 7, 1863. — I am going to 
Clarksville on the first boat, to consult with Colonel 
Bruce about an expedition from both places through 
the country to Waverly. I had to obtain leave from 
Nashville before I could go — so strict are the orders on 
this subject. 

"The guerillas destroyed the telegraph oflftce night 
before last at Fort Henry. There are no troops there 
now. Our mounted infantry chased them ten miles, but 
failed to catch them." 

"Fort Donelson, Aug. 15, 1863.— We are scouting 
and chasing guerillas pretty lively now. A party of 
mounted infantry, which I sent out last Saturday, had 



112 REMINISCENCES 

several skirmishes with them; wounded some of them 
and made some captures. None of our men were hurt. 
I sent out a whole battalion for an extensive scout." 





OF THE CIVIL WAR 113 



uring this time Colonel Lyon had a 
leave of absence and went home for a 
visit of two or three weeks. Lieuten- 
ant-Colonel Chapman had command 
of the regiment during his absence, 
and Colonel Smith, of the 83d Illinois, 
had command of the post. During 
his absence the regiment was ordered 
to Columbia. 

"Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday a. m., Sept. 10, 1863.— 
Here I am, safe, sound and hearty, writing this letter in 
Major Bigney's private room, where I am domiciled for 
the present. 

"I arrived at Chicago 'by due course of mail' Mon- 
day night, and found there Colonel Bobbins, Captains 
Wolf and Redfleld, and Lieut. Williams, of the 8th, who 
were on their way home. Took the Cincinnati Air Line 
R. R. for Louisville at 8 :30 p. m. Went to bed, and got 
up in the morning at Indianapolis; breakfasted and 
moved on. Arrived at Louisville at 1 p. m. ; remained 
there until next morning. Left at 8 o'clock, and arrived 
here at 7 last evening. 

"I met Lieut. Boone, Colonel Bruce's Adjutant, at 
Louisville, who informed me that the 13th had been or- 
dered from Columbia to Larkinsville, in Alabama. The 
regiment left Columbia last Sunday with the 28th Ken- 
tucky, formerly at Clarksville. Larkinsville is on the 
Memphis and Charleston R. R., about twenty miles south- 
west of Stevenson, where the railroad, running south 
from Nashville, intersects the M. & C. R. R., and between 
Stevenson and Huntsville. There is, of course, railroad 
communication all the way there. It is a few miles north 
of the Tennessee river. 

"Now that Chattanooga is evacuated by the Confed- 
erates, we probably will remain for some time in that 



114 REMINISCENCES 

vicinity. The regiment will probaably not reach there 
before Sunday, and I shall not leave here until Saturday 
morning, unless I conclude to go down to Murfreesboro 
tomorrow and spend a day with the 22d Wisconsin. The 
Major goes to Larkinsville with me on a tour of inspec- 
tion. He is well and in good spirits, and does everything 
in his power to make me comfortable. The route yester- 
day was through a very interesting country, indeed. 
Along it have been fought several battles during the 
war. A part of the way the country is mountainous, 
and the road runs through several tunnels, one seven- 
eights of a mile long. We passed within a few miles of 
the great mammoth cave. 

"About your coming, there is a late order that no 
citizen can pass Louisville for Nashville and south, with- 
out a permit from Major-General Granger; and I learn 
that these permits are only given to wives of officers and 
soldiers who are sick and need the attention and care of 
their wives. That can all be managed, I think, when we 
get in some safe place with a reasonable prospect of stay- 
ing awhile. I think there is no chance for much fighting 
where we go — except bushwhacking. 

"The regiment had some skirmishing on its march to 
Columbia, and I hear had one man killed. I don't know 
who it was — did not get particulars. Colonel Chapman 
allowed 136 men to go by way of Nashville, 100 of whom 
were able to march with the regiment. They were all 
sent on to Columbia (Jerry and Minerva with them), 
except some twenty left here in hospital, mostly from 
Company D. Dr. Evans brought here about six tons of 
old truck, which he doubtless had to leave at Columbia. 
How he must have groaned. None of the regiment are 
left at Fort Donelson except Captain Ruger and the 
Quartermaster. I believe Captain Woodman went as far 
as Evansville with his wife on her way home. He has 
gone on to the regiment 



'? 



OF THE CIVIL WAR 115 



"Stevenson, Ala., Sept. 13, 1863. — I arrived here 
last evening in company with Major Bigney, and we are 
waiting for a train to Larkinsville, which is twenty-four 
miles southwest of here on the Charleston & Memphis 
R. R. 

"Dr. Evans came here last night with a man from 
Company F, who is badly wounded in the leg by the 
accidental discharge of a gun. He reports the regiment 
well, that they will get to Larkinsville this afternoon, 
and that Jerry and Minerva are with them all right. 

"I went down to Murfreesboro on Friday and 
stayed there until yesterday. Saw Colonel Lowe, Dr. 
Wise, Adjutant Langdon and many others of the 5th 
Iowa. The regiment has been ordered to McMinnville. 
I spent some time with the 22d and saw many of my 
acquaintances there. Lieut.-Colonel Bloodgood is being 
tried by a Court-Martial. I was called in as a witness and 
testified to his previous good character as a soldier. 

"From Nashville here is 113 miles, and from Louis- 
ville to Nashville 185 miles, I think. The railroad from 
Nashville h^re runs through a fine country generally, 
until within twenty-five miles, where it strikes a rugged 
chain of mountains, passing through it for many miles. 
The road passes through a very long tunnel, the longest 
I ever passed through. The scenery is very grand. The 
mountains are all about us here, not such as I was famil- 
iar with in my boyhood, but still very respectable moun- 
tains. 

"There is a report, probably true, that General 
Thomas' corps had a battle yesterday with Bragg some- 
where south of Chattanooga ; but with what results we 
do not know\ 

"It is hard to guess anything about our future 
movements, but I do not think we shall be sent across the 
Tennessee river, unless General Rosecrans meets a check 
and needs reinforcements. The limits of the District of 



116 REMINISCENCES 

the Cumberland, which is held, you know, by the 'Re- 
serve Corps,' under command of Major-General Gordon 
Granger, is extended to the Tennessee river. Some cav- 
alry has been ordered from here to Larkinsville, and 
two of my companies, B and G, are stationed ten miles 
west of there to guard a railroad bridge. The regiment 
had to throw away lots of traps at Columbia for want 
of transportation. I do not know how much or what 
articles of mine were abandoned. The regiment was 
reduced to nine teams. 

"I am very glad that I went North when I did and 
had so delightful a visit. My only regret is that I was 
not with the boys in their long march, but they got along 
very well, as far as I can hear. 

"I do not give up the idea of having you come down 
and spend the winter with me. When this campaign is 
over, as it will be in a few weeks without doubt, the army 
will probably remain stationary for some time. 

"Colonel Bruce is relieved from the command of the 
First Brigade and sent to his regiment. I presume now 
that we are moved so far off that there ,-^ill be a re- 
organization of the brigade. I hope that I shall have no 
command but my own regiment." 

"Stevenson, Wednesday, Sept. 16. — I did not go 
to Larkinsville, as I expected to, for the reason that I 
learned that the regiment was ordered here. It arrived, 
except B and G, left to guard a bridge. The men gave me 
some rousing cheers and appeared very glad to see me. 

"We are in camp in a very pleasant spot, about one 
mile from the town. We have a clean place, and most 
excellent water. The men were very weary and footsore, 
of course, after their march of 275 miles, but in excellent 
spirits. This movement is a fine thing for us. Mrs. 
Moulton and Minerva rode in a carriage they picked up 
on the road, and got along first-rate. They brought along 
twice as many traps as I should had I been there. The 



OF THE CIVIL WAR 117 

march from Columbia was conducted under command 
of Colonel Boone, 28tli Kentucky. I rank him and I 
shall have command of both regiments. General Mor- 
gan, of the Second Division Reserve Corps, is in com- 
mand here, but as we belong to another division he does 
not assume very much jurisdiction over us. 

"I live in a tent, and nobody messes with me except 
Johnny, my orderly, although the Quartermaster will 
be here in a few days. Scott has received his commis- 
sion as Adjutant, and is happy. 

"We hear nothing from the front, although we are 
sc very near there. The country is very destitute, and 
we get little besides regular rations on which to live. 
We get along just as well as though we had more delica- 
cies. I am very busy getting the regiment in shape." 

"Stevenson, Sunday, Sept. 20, 1863.— There is no 
change in our condition since I wrote you last. Reports 
come to us that a battle is being fought between Rose- 
crans and Bragg, but you will know all about it before 
this reaches you. If we win a decided victory I think the 
fighting is over in this section of the country. 

"Captain Blake returned this morning. He brings 
information that the 102d Ohio is ordered here from 
Clarksville, and that five companies of the 83d are 
ordered to Clarksville. So the 83d seems to be elected 
fcr the Cumberland. I much prefer being at or near the 
front. The men feel better and are better soldiers ; and 
then it is almost a disgrace to be left so far in the rear 
as Donelson and Clarksville noAv are. 

"Our dishes were nearly all lost. The sweet corn 
comes very convenient. It is difficult to get anything to 
eat except rations. I succeeded in getting a half -bushel 
of potatoes, a few eggs and a few chickens. We can get 
very good butter at fifty cents per pound. I am very 
hearty and bacon tastes good, so I shall not starve, I 
reckon. 



118 REMINISCENCES 

"The boys found quantities of lumber in the old 
camps about us, and they are getting well fixed up. To 
go through the camp you would think they had been 
here a month, from the amount of work done, I have a 
good-sized tent, with a floor, a bunk, a table, two stools 
and a camp chair — a nice folding one, which Lieutenant 
Button gave me ; and I have straw to sleep on and plenty 
of bedding. So you see I live very luxuriously. Jerry 
and Minerva live in the rear of my tent, under the fly, 
and have a sort of board fence which encloses my dining 
room and their quarters. There is an arbor built over 
the whole, and, in fact, over all the tents in the camp. 
These arbors were put up by some other regiment." 

"Stevenson, Ala., Sept. 21, 1863. — Just as I closed 
my letter to you yesterday, I received an order to take 
command of this post, and with the 13th relieve the regi- 
ment that was doing provost guard duty here. So I 
found myself up to my eyes in business immediately. I 
relieved Lieut.-Colonel Cahill, of the 16th Illinois, whose 
regiment has gone to Bridgeport. I moved over this 
morning and have a house with plenty of room for head- 
quarters. I wish you were here to enjoy it with me. The 
regiment is moving into town today. There is a great 
deal of work at this post. 

"There is doubtless a terrible battle raging some 
fifteen or twenty miles south of Chattanooga [battle of 
Chicamauga], but we can not get any definite intelli- 
gence as to how it is going. We hear inany rumors, some 
of success and some of disaster, but nothing reliable. 
This is the third day of the fight. The cannonading can 
be heard at Bridgeport, and Lieut. Warren told me that 
he heard the firing yesterday morning distinctly from a 
little east of this place. You may hear of this battle be- 
fore we do. Keep up good spirits, for the usual luck of 
the 13th still clings to us," 

"Stevenson, Ala,, Wed., Sept. 23, 1863.— I write 



OP THE CIVIL WAR 119 

often to you, for I know how anxious you are to hear 
from me, situated as we are so near the scene of the ter- 
rible battles that are raging clay after day at the front. 
I am well, but have a great deal of work to do. This is 
the nearest post to the front, and everything going to 
or from the army passes through here. Tonight 1,400 
prisoners and several hundred of our wounded came in, 
all bound farther North. All this adds to my labors. I 
see no reason to believe that we shall be sent forsvard 
unless the emergency is very great. None of our division 
are in the fights. Those who came in from the front all 
feel confident that General Eosecrans can hold his own, 
but he is doubtless largely outnumbered and we can but 
feel the greatest solicitude for the result. 

''The carnage has been fearful. We all feel ready to 
go whenever we may be ordered and to do our duty in 
this time of peril, although the fate of war may termin- 
ate our earthly career. Let us trust all these things to 
our Heavenly Father, who will order everything wisely 
and well. You can have no idea of the suffering of the 
people here. Absolute starvation stares them in the 
face; and what makes it more painful is the fact that a 
majority of them are loyal. It would make your blood 
run cold to hear of the outrages that have been com- 
mitted upon them by the rebels before our army came 
here. Oh, my dear, how sincerely do I thank God that 
you do not feel this war — only in my absence ; that I can 
bear all the suffering and peril of it without your being 
compelled to share them with me. Colonel Heg is dead 
and his body is on the way home. He was mortalh^ 
wounded on Saturday last. [He was killed at the battle 
of Chicamauga.] He was a noble-hearted, true man, and 
a brave and useful officer. His loss is a calamity." 

"Stevenson, Ala., Sept. 25, 1863.— We are still here 
without any change in our situation, and without any 
definite knowledge of what is transpiring in our im- 



120 REMINISCENCES 

mediate front. We know only that a series of terrific 
battles have been fought and that thousands of wounded 
men have passed through here for Nashville and othei 
hospitals. 

"From all that we can learn, General Rosecrans has 
a strong position in front of Chattanooga a few miles, 
and will be able to hold it until reinforced ; but he is no 
doubt confronted by largely superior numbers. Every 
day we are seeing the mistake of the Government in 
failing to fill up the armies. Fifty thousand additional 
men, who ought to have been in the field months ago, 
would make everything secure ; but now the situation is 
full of perils, and we may meet with reverses for want of 
men, that we can not retrieve in a year. That we have 
not enough men in the field is a terrible blunder that 
must be atoned for in the blood and tears of the inno- 
cent ! 

"I think that we are not in any danger of an attack 
here in force, at least as matters now appear to stand. I 
will keep you fully advised of our situation. This morn- 
ing a force of rebels attacked and scattered a new com- 
pany of loyal Alabamans who were posted on the rail- 
road near Larkinsville. Captain Norcross, with 100 of 
the 13th boys, has gone down to look after them. It is 
some twenty miles west of here. I don't think they will 
get a fight out of them. 

"General Morgan, who commands the forces about 
here, is throwing more and more responsibility upon me. 
He is a most excellent officer and a very pleasant gentle- 
man. I have one of his aids, Lieut. Bridges, Adjutant 
Scott, one clerk, Johnny, and two mounted orderlies to 
help me. The duty of the regiment is quite heavy." 

"Stevenson, Ala., Sun., Sept. 27, 1863. — No changes 
at the front that I know of. Our army is in a strong 
position, close in front of Chattanooga, awaiting rein- 
forcements, but where they are to come from is more than 



OF THE CIVIL WAR 121 

I know. The rebel army is close by ours but don't seem 
inclined to attack, I can not learn that there has been 
any fighting for several days. We do not anticipate 
any attack here. All the fords of the river are strongly 
guarded, two brigades of cavalry having just come to 
this vicinity on that duty. 

"We hear a report from Ft. Donelson that the 83d 
Mounted Infantry had a fight near the rolling mill 
with Hinson's gang and killed George Hinson, thus 
cheating the gallows. 

"Col. Smith of the 83d is at Clarksville with one- 
half of his regiment. The 102d Ohio is on the rail- 
road, thirty miles above us. Not a regiment is passing 
through here to reinforce Gen. Rosecrans, and there 
he is confronted with more than double his numbers. 
He may get 12,000 or 15,000 of Burnside^s men from 
Knoxville, but I do not learn that even these have 
come up yet, and when they do they will not any more 
than make up his losses in the late battles. I doubt 
whether we have another General who could have pre- 
vented that army from being totally routed and cut to 
pieces last Sunday. There are but few who could pre- 
vent it from being done now. He ought to have 50,000 
more men today than he has to make him safe. Still, I 
believe that he will come out all right, 

"The agents of the Sanitary and of the U. S. 
Christian Commission are on hand to take care of the 
wounded, and are doing (particularly the latter) an 
immense amount of good. I am glad to be in a position 
to be able to render them considerable aid in prosecuting 
their good work. 

"All of the wounded who are able to travel, I 
think, have gone on, and we are rid of our prisoners, 
so matters are not quite as pressing as they have been 
for a few days past." 

"Stevenson, Ala., Tues., Sept. 29th, 1863.— The first 



122 KEMINISCENCES 

reinforcements for Gen. Kosecrans, a detachment of the 
15th Eegulars, went through here last night. They 
are from Memphis. It is understood that large num- 
bers of troops are pouring into Nashville and will begin 
to reach here tomorrow. We all feel better. We do 
not expect any attack here." 

"Stevenson, Ala., Oct. 2nd, 1863. — Yesterday we 
had a heavy rain. The dust has disappeared and today 
the weather is perfect. It is the first rain they have 
had for three months. The dust had become perfectly 
dreadful, owing to the immense numbers of wagons and 
teams that traversed the country in every direction, 

"The 11th Army Corps from the Potomac has all 
passed here within the last two days and is now at 
Bridgeport. It is probably 10,000 strong. The 12th 
Army Corps is expected to commence arriving tonight. 
It is a great relief to us to see these troops coming 
here, for the position in the front has been and still 
is full of peril. 

"All citizens have been ordered out of Chattanooga, 
and every preparation seems to be making for another 
battle. I learn that the balance of our wounded are 
being sent here, and that both armies are entrenching 
strongly — about three miles apart. My opinion is that 
neither side feels strong enough to attack the other. 
In these days it is hard to predict what a day will 
bring forth. 

"There was a collision between two trains near 
Bridgeport last night. Our officers were on one of them, 
returning home. No one was seriously hurt, but I learn 
that Col. Chapman had his head bumped rather se- 
verely." 

"Stevenson, Ala., Mon., Oct. 5th, 1863.— Major- 
Generals Hooker and Butterfleld arrived here on Satur- 
day night. I have been engaged preparing head quarters 
for them and their staff. They spend nearly all their 



OF THE CIVIL WAR 123 

time in my office, and of course draw quite a crowd 
around them. Gen. Hooker is in command of all the 
troops sent here from Virginia, and Butterfleld is his 
Chief of Staff. These troops at present are scattered 
from Nashville to Bridgeport, and the General will 
keep his headquarters here until there is some other 
movement. He is located within a few yards of my 
quarters. 

"Ruger's Brigade is back on the railroad thirty or 
forty miles. We expect the Adjutant down here every 
train. With the exception of two or three little raids 
across the river, up towards Chattanooga, resulting in 
the loss of some wagons and stores, everything is quiet 
about here. I wait and watch for things to settle down, 
so that you can come to me, but the time has not yet 
arrived. Your army experience will be defective unless 
you can make a campaign in Alabama as well as in 
Missouri and Tennessee. Capt. Blake is here. I iind 
him very gentlemanly and obedient. Sickness, mostlv 
ague, is on the increase in the regiment, none danger- 
ously ill. 

"Major-General Howard, who commands the lltb 
Armj^ Corps, Sigel's old command, was here yesterday. 
He is located at Bridgeport. The three Major-Generals 
were together in my quarters yesterday, and if you are 
willing I will give you a description of them. 

"General Hooker is a large, finely built, erect man, 
about 45 to 50 years old, shaves smooth, has light blue 
eyes and homely nose, and is one of the most familiar 
and affable men I have ever met. He impresses you 
at once with the idea that he is brave and true, and as 
kind and tender-hearted as a woman. He is one of 
those men who not only commands respect and confi- 
dence, but love. He is very entertaining in conversation, 
and last evening gave me a history of his connection 
with the Army of the Potomac, from which I learned 



124 KEMINISCENCES 

more of the operations there than I ever knew befoie. 
He is thoroughly satisfied that history will fully vindi- 
cate the correctness of his generalship there so far as 
he was permitted to act on his own judgment. He 
complained bitterly of Washington interference and 
I doubt not with good cause. 

"Butterfield is a small, handsome man, about thirty- 
five years old. He is quiet, unostentatious, and in man 
ners a polished gentleman. He talks but little, but is 
evidently a man of great intellectual power. He labors 
incessantly. One of his staff said that he never rests 
and never allows any rest to any one about him. 

"Howard is a small man, and with the exception 
that his hair is quite gray, appears young. I do not 
think him much over thirty-five. He lost an arm at the 
battle of Fair Oaks. In manners he appears very much 
like Samuel D. Hastings. He has a mild blue eye, is 
very handsome, very affable, and is really what the 
ladies call a charming man. Added to these qualities, 
he is a very brave man and deeply pious. We seldom 
see three such men together in the army or in any other 
jdace. 

"The staff officers are all young men, and very 
pleasant gentlemen. Col. Fessenden, a son of Senator 
Fessenden of Maine, is one of them." 

"Stevenson, Ala., Thurs. Eve., Oct. 8th, 1863.— We 
have been isolated here for a few days, and you need not 
be surprised if you do not get letters regularly. The rebel 
cavalry got in our rear the other day and cut our com- 
munications. The telegraph line was restored today, 
and we expect trains through from Nashville tomorrow. 

"I learn from General Butterfield's dispatches to 
Gen. Hooker (which he very kindly shows to me) that 
the enemy struck the railroad at Christiana, ten miles 
this side of Murfreesboro, capturing a company and 



OF THE CIVIL WAR 125 

destroying the water tank. They then tore up a mile 
of track near Duck Eiver, and destroyed a bridge across 
that stream near TuHahoma. Our cavalry were in close 
pursuit, overtaking them near Shelbyville (which place 
they had burned), attacking and whipping them, killing 
100, capturing 300, and scattering the balance of the 
rebel force, (jeueral Euger's Brigade is on the railroad 
between Tullahoma and Murfreesboro. The rebels were 
too closely pursued to do much damage. 

"General Butterfleld went up to take command of 
the troops that were left behind in order to open com- 
munications. It interferes seriously with us to have this 
line cut off. We are out of forage, and rations are 
getting uncomfortably low. This same force captured 
and destroyed several hundred wagons between here 
and Chattanooga, loaded with supplies and ammunition. 
I think they have done their worst and that we shall 
have no difflculty now in keeping the road open. Gen. 
Morgan told me tonight that he heard that the men 
captured at Christiana were from the 22nd Wisconsin. 
1 hope not. 

"Dr. Woolcott, from Milwaukee, the Surgeon Gen- 
eral of the State, is here and took tea with me tonight. 
He is accompanied by Eev. Mr. Staples of Milwaukee. 
The Doctor has been to the front to look after our 
wounded, and lost all his baggage when the wagon 
train was captured. He escaped by taking a shorter 
road on foot over the mountains. He says that it is the 
general opinion that Bragg is evacuating his position 
in front of Chattanooga. The rebels shelled our camps 
there all day Tuesday, doing but very little damage, 
however. We have no fears of an attack here. 

"We are stripping this whole country of forage, 
many thousand animals having been sent back here to 
recruit; and there will be, and is already, much suf- 
fering among the people. Many hundreds have gone 



126 REMINISCENCES 



North, the Government furnishing them transportation, 
and large numbers more are going. We feed several 
hundreds out of Government supplies. We issue them 
half rations of bread and meat. The people have no 
coffee, sugar or salt. They beg most piteously for salt. 
We have none of these articles for them. You can 
have no adequate idea of the suffering caused by the 
want of salt. Some have told me that all the salt they 
have had for a year is what they have procured by 
leaching the earth in their smoke-houses. This is the 
more painful because these people are nearly all truly 
loyal, and have suffered terribly for their loyalty." 

"Stevenson, Ala., Sun. P. M., Oct. 11th, 1863.— We 
have been cut off from the United States for several 
days. The first train came through from Nashville ]a«t 
night. We were all out of forage and rations were 
running unpleasantly low. Now we have large quan- 
tities of supplies, or will have immediately. I think 
our communications are comparatively safe. General 
Hooker having used every possible precaution against 
further interruption. We have an additional brigade 
here of General Hooker's command, but I am still left 
in command of the post. 

"General Hooker came yesterday and asked me if 
I belonged to General Morgan's Division. I answered 
in the negative. He replied that he was glad of it, 
because he had orders to send Gen. Morgan's command 
to Anderson's Cross Roads, twenty miles this side of 
Chattanooga. Gen. Morgan left this morning, but only 
goes to Battle Creek, 16 or 18 miles from here on the 
j'iver 

"The presence of Gen. Hooker here does not relieve 
me from any of my labors or responsibilities, for he does 
not interfere at all in the management of the post. 

"Those Virginia troops clitl not get here a day too 
soon. The rebels sent a large force of cavalry and ar- 



OF THE CIVIL WAR 127 

tillery to cut the railroad in our rear, expecting to do 
it before those troops got here. We learn that it was 
their intention to keep on this way, destroying the 
railroad and the supplies at this place, scattering the 
forces guarding the road, which they were strong- 
enough to do ; but when they got to the railroad they 
found so large a force in their neighborhood that they 
did but comparatively little mischief and hurried on. 
Our cavalry were in close pursuit of them, and on Thurs- 
day last overhauled and repulsed them at Shelby ville, 
killing, wounding and capturing several hundred. 

"So you see a protecting Providence has saved us 
once more from a great peril. We are now safe from 
any mere raid. Nothing less than an army ha<? any 
business on this side of the Tennessee river. 

"All the troops which were left behind when Gen. 
Kosecrans advanced from Murfreesboro in June were 
organized into what is called the 'Reserve Corps.' This 
corps is divided into three divisions, tjhe first com- 
manded by Gen. Steadman, the second by Gen. Mor- 
gan, and the third by Brigadier-General R. S. Granger, 
the whole under command of Major-General Gordon 
Granger. We are in the 1st Brigade of the Third Divis- 
ion. 

"The Reserve Corps numbers some 25,000 men, 
8,000 of whom — from the 1st and 2nd Divisions, were 
in the Chickamaugua battles. The Corps is badly scat- 
tere and I think will be reorganized. Our brigade is 
strung all the way from Ft, Donelson to Stevenson. 
We are nearest the front of any regiment of our division. 

"Gen. Rosecrans has made his position at Chatta- 
nooga too strong for the rebels to attack him, and 
they will hardly attempt to cross the Tennessee river 
with our army there. Oh! for 50,000 more men, and 
the rebellion would be crushed in the West in ninety 



128 KEMINISCENCES 

flays ; but the men are not liere and we must do the best 
we can." 

"Stevenson, Ala., Oct. 18th, 1863— It has rained 
for several days. The roads from here to Chattanooga 
are terrible, and it is almost impossible to keep the 
army there supplied with provisions. Lieut. Wemple 
has just been there with a part of his compan}^ to 
escort a drove of cattle. It took them six days to 
irtake the trip. They had to swim the streams at that. 
Our cavalrj^ have driven Wh6eler across the Tennessee 
river at the Muscle Shoals, and are now down that 
way at Flint Kiver recruiting their horses, fifty or 
sixty miles west of here. The 5th Iowa Cavalry are 
with the expedition. Col. Lowe has command of a 
brigade. They will be up here in a few days. 

"Yesterda}^ we celebrated the 2nd anniversary of 
the 13th's enlistment, it having been originally mustered 
on the ITth of Oct., 1861. We ate large quantities of 
cove oysters on the occasion, at the Alabama House, a 
dirty, one-horse eating house here. 

"The whole army of the Cumberland is being re- 
organized, and we do not know anything about where 
we shall be assigned. My opinion is that there will 
be no general engagement here for some time to come, 
if at all. 

"We are led to believe that Sherman's Corps from 
Vicksburg is on the way here, but we have no definite 
knowledge about it. The old 8th is in that corps." 

'Stevenson, Ala., Wed. Eve., Oct. 21st, 1863— It 
has rained nearly all day, and the roads are almost 
impassable, causing much apprehension that we shall 
be unable to get forward sufficient supplies for our army 
at the front. The supplies are kept here for this large 
army. 

"The grand theme of interest and discussion now 
is the change of commanders in this armv. Generals 



OF THE CIVIL WAR 129 

Grant and Rosecrans arrived here an hour ago, and are 
both at General Hooker's quarters. This is a remarkable 
meeting. Less than four months ago these three gen- 
erals were at the head of three great armies of the 
Union, and the eyes of the whole world were upon them 
Hooker at the head of the Army of the Potomac was 
carrying out that splendid strategy which culminated 
in the defeat of Lee at Gettysburg. A few days after 
he was relieved (by his own request) from the command 
of that army. Grant was pressing upon Vicksburg, 
which he soon after captured; and Rosecrans, with the 
laurels of Stone River fresh upon his brow, was pur- 
suing the retreating army of Bragg out of Tennessee. 

"Tonight they are all here — Rosecrans without a 
command; Hooker with a very subordinate one; and 
Grant, whose star seems to be in the ascendant, with a 
command greater by far than has been entrusted to 
any other general in this war. Three noble;*, braver, 
or better men, never met than these ; and whatever their 
future may be they will fill a glorious place in our 
history. 

"I have no fault to find with the removal of Gen- 
eral Rosecrans. I can readily imagine why the Gov- 
ernment should regard it as imperiously necessary to 
do so. The consolidation of the three departments of 
Tennessee, Ohio, and the Cumberland, into (me under 
General Grant, is a very wise measure. 

"No further signs of our moving." 

"Stevenson, Ala., Oct. 23, 1863.— Hoav little we 
know what is before us! We were ordered ten days 
ago to Battle Creek, on the river above Bridgeport, and 
a few days afterwards the place was changed to Ander- 
son Cross Roads, wa^^ up in the mountain towards 
Chattanooga. The order came from General Morgan- 
and we were to marcli when relieved by Gen. Hooker. 
The General never got ready to relieve us, and so we 



130 REMINISCENCES 

did not march under that order; but this afternoon 
the order came from Gen. Thomas, and is peremptory; 
and so we must go sometime tomorrow. 

"Adjt. Scott has gone up the railroad to see Ruger. 
He is at Tullahoma. Rain every day, and mud un- 
fathomable. A nasty time to move, but soldiers must 
go without grumbling, when ordered. 

"I was mistaken when I said in my last that Gen 
Grant was at Gen. Hooker's quarters. He was in town, 
and the three major-generals met at the cars, but Grant 
went on to Bridgeport. Next morning General Hooker 
came in and asked me to go to his quarters and see 
Gen. Rosecrans. I went, and was introduced. Gen. 
Rosecrans immediately said, 'Gen. Hooker, this is my 
old Ft. Donelson commander,' and he spoke very rom- 
plimentarily of my administration of affairs there. He 
recollected me in Mississippi, upon my reminding him of 
one or two incidents that happened there. 

"The band of the 33d Massachusetts serenaded the 
generals, and they both made little speeches and both 
made failures. They can fight, but neither of them can 
make a speech. 

"My successor in the command of the post will be 
Colonel Cobham, of the 111th Pennsylvania, He will 
assume command in the morning. Come to think, you 
will want to know where we are going. We are ordered 
to Nashville. Aren't you sorry? We go by railroad." 

"Stevenson, Ala., Oct. 25, 1863.— We put the regi- 
ment on the cars yesterday afternoon, but it did not get 
off until this afternoon. I go in the morning. The 
Quartermaster, Ira Button, goes with his traps tomor- 
row, and the mounted infantry will go in two or three 
days, as soon as Lieut. Lamoreau gets back from Chat- 
tanooga, where he has gone with a drove of cattle for 
the army. That cleans out the 13th from Stevenson. 

"General Hooker moves his headquarters to Bridge- 



OF THE CIVIL WAR 131 

port tomorrow. I was relieved yesterday by Colonel 
Cobham ; and he was relieved today by Colonel Eoss, of a 
Connecticut regiment." 

"Nashville, Tenn., Oct. 29, 1863. — We are encamped 
in a dry, beautiful location in Edgefield, directly across 
the river from Nashville and about one-half mile from 
the railroad bridge. Edgefield is a clean, quiet village, 
and we have decidedly the softest thing that we have had 
since I have been with the regiment. We shall probably 
remain here some time, perhaps all winter, unless some 
unexpected emergency arises at the front. 

"Now make all your arrangements to come to me, 
and I will make my arrangements for you as fast as I 
can. I am living in a tent now, but will find a house, or 
some rooms, as soon as I can. It is necessary for you to 
have a permit to come here, I will have no difficulty in 
getting it, I think, and will send it to you in a few days, 
together with a list of articles you will need to bring 
with you. 

"The regiment is furnishing guards in the city, 
about 150 per day, which is our only duty. The weather 
is most lovely, and it is a delightful change from the rain 
and mud and filth of Stevenson. 

"A torpedo was exploded under one of the trains 
that had our regiment, when coming here, which threw 
the engine off the track and made a perfect wreck of the 
tender, but fortunately no one was hurt. This occurred 
Sunday night, about 28 miles this side of Stevenson." 

"Headquarters 13th Regt. Wis. Vol., Camp Bigney, 
near Nashville, Tenn, Sun. p. m., Nov. 1, 1863, — It takes 
considerable writing, I find, to give you our exact 'locus 
in quo,' as the lawyers say, but you have the whole story 
in the heading to this letter. We named the camp yes- 
terday, on parade, in honor of the major who selected it, 
and whose influence brought us here; and a beautiful 
camp with most beautiful surroundings it is, too. The 



132 REMINISCENCES 

weather is very pleasant today, but we have had a very 
severe rainstorm and have frosty nights. 

"It is a little rough lying on the ground, and I have 
neither floor nor fire in my tent, yet I stand it well. Jerry 
is quite indignant that I should live so. Says he, 'Col- 
onel, it's enough to kill a hoss to sleep on that wet 
ground! Yes, sir, it's enough to kill a good hoss!' I 
have not yet secured any rooms for us, although I am 
diligently hunting for them. I would like to have the 
children here, but looking the thing all over my best 
judgment is that they will be better off at home. I have 
got a pony for you to ride when you get here — gentle 
as a lamb, and my horse is a beauty. I ride a good deal." 

"Nashville, Tenn., Nov. 5, 1863. — I am on a court of 
inquiry, to investigate a matter connected with the 
shooting and killing of one of his men by Colonel Meis- 
ner, of the 14th Mich., and shall be so occupied all of 
this week. We hold one session per day at the capitol, 
from 9 a. m. until noon. At the election last Tuesday, 
the 13th gave 400 majority for the Union ticket, only 18 
or 20 votes cast for Palmer. I see by yesterday's papers 
that the State has gone Union by a large majority. 

"I am on the track of a house two blocks from camp, 
which I think I can get. Boats are running up the river 
quite freely now, and occasionally get fired into between 
here and Clarksville. That region is full of guerillas 
now, since the troops are withdrawn from Donelson and 
Clarksville. The 83d is there yet, but can not do much 
for want of numbers. 

"Captain Hewitt and I have rented a house together 
and I moved into it on Tuesday. It is a brick house, two 
rooms, one story, in a quiet, pleasant spot, about 30 rods 
from the camp. We pay ten dollars per month rent. I 
send you a diagram. Mrs. Hewitt and you had better 
come on together. We shall have to mess together. The 
rooms are large and commodious, good walls and floors. 



OF THE CIVIL WAR 133 

and excellent fireplaces, don't smoke a particle. We 
will live in our room and eat in their room. Jerry and 
Minerva have an outside room, and have in it a little 
stove that I had for my tent." 

"Nashville, Tenn., Nov. 15, 1863. — We commence 
brigade drill tomorrow under General Ward, and are to 
drill three times a week." 

"Edgefield, Tenn., Fri., Nov. 20, 1863.— We had a 
review yesterday of seven regiments of infantry, one of 
cavalry and a battery of artillery. We made quite a 
show. General Granger was the reviewing officer." 

"Nov. 29, 1863.— General Grant has cleaned out 
Bragg, which I think ensures our staying here this win- 
ter. We have a new band. They heard you were here 
last Wednesday night, and came over to serenade you. 
They play well." 




134 



REMINISCENCES 




c?--^ 



bout this time I went South. I took 
Clara with me. The winter was quietly- 
spent at Edgefield, without much to 
narrate. We lived in the same house 
with Captain and Mrs. Hewitt, and 
messed together. 

A few letters to Father Lyon are 
all the letters I have for a couple of 
months, and there is but little in them. 



MRS. LYON'S DIARY. 

Jan. 1, 1864. — The weather is very cold. It is ten 
degrees below zero, the coldest weather ever known in 
Nashville, so the citizens say. Captain and Mrs. Hewitt 
and William and I received calls together. We had calls 
from General Ward* and his staff oflflcers, and all the 
officers of the 13th. In the evening we had all the ladies 
in our regiment to spend the evening and to help dis- 
pose of the eatables that were left over. The band sere- 
naded us. 

January 2, 1864. — Still very cold, six degrees below 
zero. The houses here are not built for warmth, but 
to keep cool in summer. 

Jan. 16, 1864. — A large party of us went in ambu- 
lances to visit the penitentiary. 



COLONEL LYON'S LETTERS. 



"Edgefield, Sun., Jan. 31, 1864. — I received between 
50 and 60 new recruits from Wisconsin yesterday, and 

* Major-General Ward was a distinguished Kentuckian, for many 
years a member of Congress from tliat State before the war. He was 
a grand old man and I loved him. One of his staff was Colonel Ben- 
jamin Harrison, afterward President. Colonel Harrison was Colonel 
of an Indiana regiment in our brigade. — W. P. L. 




MRS. ADELIA C. LYON 

Racine, IVisconsin, 1863 



OF THE CIVIL WAR 135 

expect a good many more. The regiment will probably 
fill up. Three hundred and forty-eight of my men have 
re-enlisted and have been mustered as veterans, and the 
number will probably increase to 400. I have just for- 
warded an application for the regiment to be furloughed 
home. It will be about two weeks before we hear from 
it. If the application is granted, and I expect that it 
will be, we shall probably get off between the 15th and 
20th of February. This veteran movement is a grand 
thing, and the most discouraging to the rebels of any- 
thing that has transpired during the war. I feel it my 
duty to encourage it by all proper means." 

''Feb. 7, 1864. — We have received our veterans' fur- 
lough, and expect to leave here for Janesville the last 
of the week, with between 400 and 500 of the regiment ; 
in which case we shall reach there about the 17th, and 
get home two or three days later, Jerry and Minerva 
will go home with us. They will make arrangements for 
housekeeping." 

"Nashville, Tenn., March 31, 1864.— We got here, 
six companies of us, this morning just at daylight. The 
other four companies, E, K, G and B, were left at Chi- 
cago for want of transportation — will probably be here 
tomorrow. We were on the cars three nights and got 
but little sleep. I liave commenced boarding at Mrs. 
Morrison's, in Edgefield." 

"Edgefield, April 3, 1864. — I have got nearly settled 
in my new tent. I have a floor and stove in it. Mr. 
Barker is here today. He is installed in his new place 
in Nashville and thinks he will get along. There is a 
house full at Morrison's, Norcross, Noyes, Hewitt, Hol- 
lister. Dr. Smith, Lamoreau, Walters, the Chaplain, and 
myself. Wallahan and his wife are there, besides a 
number of refugees, I think, by their looks. There is 
some one in our old place. It makes me homesick to 
pass there. It is all cleaned up and looks so homelike. 



136 REMINISCENCES 

"I spent most of yesterday with Colonel Hobart. 
We dined at General Eosecrans' headquarters, and vis- 
ited the 22d Wisconsin. Met Colonel Streight again." 

"Edgefield, April 7, 1864. — Everything is pleasant 
at Morrison's and I am more comfortable than I would 
be if I ran a mess. We were on picket duty yesterday. I 
have the whole regiment at work today cleaning the 
camp." 

"Edgefield, Tenn., Sun., April 10, 1864.— I have sent 
Lieut. Wemple's detail to General Thomas for approval, 
but have not yet heard from it. In addition to picket duty 
we have been put on tram-guard duty on the railroad be- 
tween here and Louisville. This takes the whole regi- 
ment. I have sent the right wing across the river on the 
picket line beyond the city, under command of Colonel 
Chapman, to do that duty. All the men in the left wing 
are on the railroad, and I do not think I have fifty men 
in camp today. Rather lonesome. Jerry sends his best 
love to Minerva. He gets homesick sometimes. Some- 
body cut through his tent and stole his watch a few 
nights since." 

"Edgefield, Tenn., Thursday, April 14, 1864.— I 
think that I told you that the right wing of the regiment 
was over beyond the city doing picket duty. We now 
picket the whole city, on both sides of the river, and 
guard all the trains running on the Louisville R. R." 

"Edgefield, Tenn., Sun^ eve., April 17, 1864.— There 
is a great demand for houses here, and many efforts are 
being made to turn these poor refugees out of doors, you 
know they are numerous here. I have been and am still 
protecting them, and in doing so get complained of oc- 
casionally at headquarters. I am ahead, though, up 
to this present writing. I think that these rebels here 
who got up this war and made refugees of these poor 
people, ought to furnish houses for them to live in, and 
I mean they shall to some extent." 



OF THE CIVIL WAR 137 

"Edgefield, Teun., April 21, 1864.— Everything is 
in statu quo here. I have but little to do now but think 
and read. I begin to discuss the question in my own 
mind whether you had better not come down here after 
a little, after the spring campaign is fairly progressing, 
which will be in a month or so ; then if we are left here 
we shall be pretty sure of remaining here all summer." 

"Edgefield, Tenn., Mon., April 25, 1864. — Burns, or 
somebody else, says, 'The best laid schemes of mice and 
men gang aft aglee.' For example, I wrote you the other 
day that I thought we would stay here some time, and 
talked about your coming down after a little. Yesterday 
I got an order that we start tomorrow morning for Stev- 
enson, to take care of the railroad from Anderson, 12 
miles this side of Stevenson, to Bridgeport, on the Ten- 
nessee river. The 102d Ohio, Colonel Given, go with 
us on the same business, but they stop at Tullahoma. 

"We are to mov^e at daybreak, but may be delayed 
for want of transportation. We will be nine or ten days 
on the road, so direct your letters to Stevenson, Ala. 
We march, you know, but I suppose we shall occasion- 
ally strike the railroad. I will drop you a line if I can. 
I am glad to get away from Nashville, my regiment was 
so scattered." 

"Stevenson, Ala., April 28, 1864. — Here we are, safe 
and sound, having come by railroad instead of marching, 
as we expected to do. We got here at noon today. No 
women came with us. General Sherman would not al- 
low it. He said that after a few weeks, perhaps, he 
would do so, but not now. He says that a woman eats 
as much as a soldier, and he is short of transportation at 
present. I don't think it is very unpleasant here, judg- 
ing from the reluctance with which the troops here 
leave. The place has been well cleaned and is in fine 
order." 

"Stevenson, Ala., May 3, 1864. — I took command of 



138 REMINISCENCES 

this post on Sunday morning, and the old force is all 
gone except a battery of artillery. I have my old quar- 
ters and more. I occupy for my own private residence 
the room that General Hooker had when here." 

"Stevenson, Ala., May 5, 1864. — An immense num- 
ber of troops has passed through here within two days, 
I think as many as 25,000 from Huntsville, Decatur, and 
that way. They are the 15th and 16th Army Corps. 
Generals Sherman, Logan, McPherson, Sickles, and lots 
more, have gone to the front, and there will probably be 
a heavy battle in the neighborhood of Dalton in a very 
few days. I have no reason to believe that we shall be 
there. We seem to be pretty firmly anchored here just 
at present. 

"We naturally have a great anxiety concerning the 
result of the expected battle. The enemy are no doubt 
in heavy force, and so are we. Our very best Generals, 
except Grant, are there; and I am very hopeful that we 
shall defeat them. If we do, it virtually puts an end to 
the war in this part of the country. A defeat for us is 
not so serious a matter as it would be for them; yet if 
we should be defeated it would prolong the war for many 
months. Our hope is in the justice of our cause, the 
blessing of God, and the courage and patriotism of our 
army. 

"Our wagon train has just got through, bringing 
our mess traps." 

"Stevenson, Ala., May 9, 1864. — Everything is quiet 
and comfortable here. Two years ago today we fought 
at Farmington, Miss., when Captain Perkins and Lieut. 
Beamish were killed. We got no news from the front, 
but feel easy about operations down there. The news 
from Virginia this morning is first rate. 

"I am going to Tullahoma today to report in per- 
son to General Paine, who has command from there to 
Bridgeport; will be back tomorrow. The 71st Ohio, Col- 



OF THE CIVIL WAR 139 

onel McConnell, is between here and TuUahoma on the 
railroad. I was sent here because I had been here be- 
fore and had a reliable, well disciplined regiment, and 
because, further, as General Rousseau told me, he knew 
my boys would fight if attacked. This service is honor- 
able, and it was a high compliment sending me here, and 
so intended by General Rousseau. General Granger was 
not consulted and had nothing to do with it." 

"Stevenson, Ala., Wed., May 11, 1864. — I went to 
Tullahoma, as I wrote you, and saw and reported to 
General Paine (of Illinois). I was well acquainted with 
him before. I also met Colonel Given, of the 102d Ohio, 
an old acquaintance, you know. 

"While there we received dispatches from Nashville, 
which were sent to me there and here at the same time, 
that Roddey (a rebel guerilla. General, or Colonel, or 
something) had crossed the Tennessee river at Florence, 
near Tuscumbia, Ala., with 5,000 men. They do not 
know what he is after, nor w^here he intends to go. This 
notice was to keep us on the alert should he come this 
way, which is not expected. If he comes here we can 
Avhip him. 

"Well, I started back at 2:30 o'clock yesterday 
morning, but was stopped three miles out with the intel- 
ligence that the track had been torn up by guerillas 
three miles farther on. So we went back to Tullahoma 
and got some soldiers and went down there. We found 
that a few men on barefoot horses, evidently citizens re- 
siding near there, had torn a couple of rails loose, built 
a large fire on the track, and left. Owing to the deten- 
tion I did not get back here until noon. 

"I intended to stop along the road and inspect the 
troops and works under my charge, but it rained all the 
morning, so I deferred the inspection to another day. 

"Last night we had a terrific storm of wind, rain, 
thunder and lightning, lasting half the night. Such a 



140 KEMIXISCEXCES 

storm iu these mountains, the lightning flashing around 
their summits, the thunder echoing, the wind howling 
through the gorges, and the torrents rushiug down the 
mountain sides, is most sublime. Btit tou know some- 
thing of these sotithern thunder storms. 

"We are making strong fortifications here; and if 
the enemy will keep away for thirty days, I do not care 
how many stich troops as Forrest, Roddey. and those fel- 
lows haye, pitch into us. I haye one good redotibt now, 
with six pieces of artillery in it. 

"Captain Xorcross reports that his pickets were 
lired on last night, no one hurt. He is stationed about 
three miles from here. There were but two or three of 
the assailants, and they ran off when the sentinel, after 
discharging his musket, rau after them firing his reyol- 
yer. There are a few desperadoes in the mountains west 
of us, and it was doubtless some of them. The citizens 
say, 'We are mighty proud to see you-uns back here.' 
There is much distress amongst them. General Sherman 
haying stopped the issuing of rations." 

"Steyenson, Ala., Sun., May 15, 1861. — I haye had 
two ragged sheets made into one, and now haye a pair of 
good sheets. I bathed last night and had Jerry wash and 
dry my single towel before I s:ot up this momino;. Jerry 
does all my room work. The doctor fixed me up some 
tansy bitters and I worry down a little of the bitter sttiff 
about twice a day. 

''T spent yesterday and Friday inspecting the rail- 
road defenses in my beat. I stayed Friday night at An- 
derson, with Captain Noyes. The companies on the rail- 
road are well stiited, and are willing to stay there. The 
whole regiment seems contented. 

"How glorious the news that comes from General 
Grant I The heayy fighting of this war, I belieye. is 
nearly oyer, although the army mtist be retained some 
time yet. 



OF THE CIVIL WAR 141 

"General Rousseau has just sent me 125 colored 
soldiers to work on the fortifications. This relieves the 
13th very much. 

"Everything is perfectly quiet in our vicinity, no 
force of rebels anywhere near us, but there are guerilla 
scares nearly every day. 

"I hope before another year I will be home for good. 
When I get there, don't expect me to leave the dooryard, 
unless I am obliged to, for about three months." 

"May 18, 1864. — There was a little clash yesterday 
en the railroad beyond Huntsville, seventy miles from 
here, but it did not amount to much. We are progress- 
ing finely with our fortifications. The army in front, we 
hear, is forty miles south of Dalton, and the rebels are 
falling back; but we get no particulars of operations 
there. No citizens are allowed to come down here now. 
Mrs. Kummel is still in Nashville, and is unable to ob- 
tain permission to come. The reason assigned is want of 
transportation. 

"We had a tragedy here last night. An artillery- 
man shot and killed a young woman who was holding 
the door to keep him out of the house. He went to a 
window, and through a broken pane shot her in the 
back. She died in an hour. The man was drunk, and is 
in custody. 

"I have just received orders to issue rations to the 
families of soldiers in our army. There are many of 
them about here in very destitute circumstances, and 
this order will prevent much suffering. Several com- 
panies of cavalry were raised in this vicinity when I 
was here last fall." 

"Stevenson, Ala., Sun., May 22, 1864.— The troops 
from the rear, which have been relieved by the 100-days 
men, are constantly passing through here. We keep 
hearing rumors that we are to be relieved in the same 
way before long, but I have nothing authentic on the 



142 REMINISCENCES 

subject. I should not be surprised, however, if the 
rumors turn out true and we go farther south; but as 
usual it will probably be after the fighting is over. 

"We get no particulars from the front except that 
Sherman is pushing on for Atlanta. I had a telegram 
from him yesterday, dated Kingston, Ga. The army, I 
learn, is some distance beyond there." 

"May 26, 1864. — Granger's brigade is ordered to 
picket the north bank of the Tennessee river from Stev- 
enson to Decatur, about 100 miles. In his arrangement 
of troops we will be about in the center, with headquar- 
ters at Claysville, which is in the extreme southern bend 
of the river, opposite Gunthersville, and about 45 miles 
from Stevenson. It is barely possible that my regiment 
may be swung around on the river right here, in which 
case headquarters will probably remain here or near 
this place, but I do not expect it. 

"Everything seems to move right in front and on 
the Potomac; and when we hear of successes there to 
cur arms, visions of peace and home and family and 
loved ones become very bright. Now do not worry about 
our moving. We are in a great deal more clanger of 
being struck by lightning than by bullets this sum- 
mer." 

"Stevenson, Ala., Sun., May 29, 1864.— The 132d 
Indiana (100-days men) arrived here last evening to 
relieve us, and we go to Claysville, which is the last of 
the poor 13th for the next 100 days. No fighting, no 
wounds, no glory for us. Oh, how badly you will feel 
about it. We shall not leave, I think, until the last of 
the week, as our transportation has only this morning 
left Nashville, and it comes through by land. We were 
all well satisfied here, and yet the boys never left a place 
more cheerfully. 

"The country where we go has not been so badly 
devastated as this, and it is said to be a good country. 



OF THE CIVIL WAR 143 

We expect to revel in fruit. The peach crop will be very 
heavy this year. 

"I learn that poor George Yout was killed. He was 
a brave, good boy, and I feel great sympathy for his 
family and friends." 

"Stevenson, Ala., Thursday, June 2, 1864. — We are 
still here, you see, but hope to get started tomorrow. We 
are waiting for our teams, which are on the road here 
from Nashville and expected tonight. The regiment is 
together now, except the men detailed at Nashville and 
a few others. They make a fine show. 

"Adjutant Ruger went through here last evening 
wounded. He was struck in the knee by a piece of shell, 
bruising him pretty badly ; but he will probably recover 
without any permanent injury to the limb. He is in fine 
spirits. This occurred a week ago. 

"We shall be able to take all of our traps, and the 
Adjutant and I are going to let Jerry do our cooking. 
We rather like the prospect of moving." 

"Stevenson, Ala., Fri., June 3, 1864. — We leave here 
tomorrow at sunrise. We had a hard rain last night, 
which relieves us from marching in the dust. The 22d, 
and other Wisconsin regiments in this department, get 
hurt occasionally, I see, though none except the 3d have 
been cut up very badly yet. There seems to be plenty of 
work and little glory for the poor 13th. 

"I had the whole regiment on dress parade last 
night, and it made a superb show. I felt just as though 
I should like to try their mettle where the bullets fly. 

"The new troops that have taken our place are 
many of them getting sick. We are toughened to the 
heat." 

"Bellefonte, Jackson County, Ala., June 5, 1864. — 
We left Stevenson yesterday morning at eight o'clock, 
in the midst of a very heavy rain, and reached this point, 
14 miles distant, at sundown. We had several hard 



144 REMINISCENCES 

showers during the day, but the boys did not seem to 
mind it much. It rained all night, and until about nine 
o'clock this morning, which makes the roads very 
muddy ; so I concluded to lay over today, especially as it 
is Sunday. We move at sunrise tomorrow morning, 
and it will take us two days to reach our destination, 
which is about thirty miles from here. We have 800 
men and 20 teams, and make quite a little army. 

"The country over which we marched yesterday was 
tolerably level and looks not unlike our oak openings in 
Wisconsin, though the soil is generally thin and poor. 
The road was bad in places, and we were detained sev- 
eral times by wagons breaking down or getting stuck in 
the mud. We learn that the roads are better ahead, and 
the mud is drying rapidly this afternoon. The whole 
route is a desert, made so by our armies. Fences are 
destroyed, and nearly all the plantations are deserted. 
Many of the houses have been burned down, and there 
are no growing crops. 

"The Adjutant and I rode into Bellefonte last night 
ahead of the regiment, and such a picture of utter deso- 
lation as the place presents I have seldom seen, even in 
the South. The village is the county seat of Jackson 
county, and was once about half the size of Elkhorn, 
Wis. Its situation is not unlike that of Elkhorn, being 
built on level ground around a public square, in the cen- 
ter of which once stood a fine court house. This court 
house was burned down the day the 13th marched 
through here last September, and in consequence of that 
coincidence we were charged with burning it ; but it was 
not so, and I indignantly denied the charge and de- 
manded the proof. It has not been produced. At that 
time there were many citizens here. Now they are all or 
nearly all gone, and every building is nearly destroyed. 
This was done by General Sherman's army last winter. 
The frames and roofs and brick walls are standing, but 



OF THE CIVIL WAR 145 

the siding has been torn off, partitions broken down, 
floors ripped up, and doors and windows all carried 
away or destroyed. The fences, too, have disappeared, 
and the whole site of the town, gardens, dooryards, pub- 
lic square, and every place except a narrow track in the 
center of the street, is covered with a rank growth of 
weeds. 

"When we came in a dead silence brooded over the 
place. There was no sign of life except two half-starved, 
poorly clad women, slowly making their way through 
the deserted streets on two lean and hungry-looking 
donkeys; and a solitary cow feeding upon the weeds by 
the roadside. It looked like a fit home for owls, and 
bats and serpents, and it was difficult to realize that it 
was ever the abode of man. Yet riding about the town 
we find many evidences of the taste and refinement of 
the former inhabitants. The ruins of what were once 
beautiful flower gardens are frequently met with, and 
blooming among noxious weeds we found roses and 
other flowers in great profusion, which in variety of 
coloring and brilliancy of tints excel anything we ever 
see at the North. 

"The people are fugitives m the South, Tney are all 
bitter Secessionists, and they are now reaping the ter- 
rible fruits of their great crime. In a frenzy of unholy 
passion they sought to destroy our Government, to tear 
down the glorious fabric of liberty, which was our com- 
mon heritage, and lo, their homes are a desolation, and 
they and their wives and children, like Cain of old, are 
wanderers and vagabonds in the earth. Like Cain, too, 
when they think of their mansions destroyed, of the ruin 
that reigns where once they dwelt, of the peace and pros- 
perity and happiness they once enjoyed, they may well 
exclaim, 'Our punishment is greater than we can bear.' 
And now, having indulged in a little highfalutin, 'merely 
to show you,' as Josh Billings says, 'that I ken du it,' I 



146 REMINISCENCES 

will come down to matter of fact things and inform you 
that the peaches are as large as butternuts, and the 
country is full of them. Blackberries are nearly full 
grown and turning red; raspberries and cherries are 
ripe, but scarce. 

"It will be several days before I can get another 
letter to the jwstofflce for you." 

"Claysville, Ala., June 8, 1864. — We got here last 
night after a rough march, but all well. The country is 
very pleasant. Only three or four families here. Will 
give you full particulars in my next. The wagon train 
is just leaving for Woodville for supplies. We are not 
settled yet. 

"The journey was pretty rough. We had to ford 
one large creek where the water was up to the horses' 
sides. We got through without accident. There is but 
one decent house in the place, and in it lives a widow — 
an old lady — and two daughters, young women. The 
Adjutant and I took possession of the surplus rooms in 
the house for headquarters, and we have made an ar- 
rangement by which the family do the cooking and wash- 
ing. They are poor people, but neat and respectable, a 
good deal above the average of poor whites down here. 
I think that they do not chew snuff, although I am not 
quite sure about the youngest one. All we pay is to 
furnish provisions for the whole. They seem to be very 
economical, and I think we shall like the living. They 
cook well. I have a good airy room up stairs. The old 
lady has lent me a feather bed. I shall fill my cotton 
tick with cotton, of which there is plenty here. I brought 
from Stevenson a nice camp bedstead, and am rigged out 
very comfortably indeed. 

"I have four companies, B, G, C and I, on the river, 
and shall send out three more tomorrow. A, P and D, 
leaving with me H, E and K. Company C is but a little 
over a mile from here. The^^^ exchange shots occasion- 



OF THE CIVIL WAR 147 

ally with bushwhackers, but it is too far to do any execu- 
tion. There seem to be no organized bands of rebels on 
this side of the river, and no considerable number on 
the other side. 

"We get our mail from Woodville, twenty miles dis- 
tant. It seems odd to go five or six days without hearing 
a word from the outside world, yet we will get used to it 
after a little I suppose. 

"We had green peas and mutton for dinner. The 
peas we bought, the mutton we confiscated. 

"There is a better class of people here than there 
was at Stevenson or Donelson. They are cleaner and 
more intelligent, and generally not so wretchedly poor. 

"I have a very trusty, honest horse. I intended to 
go out with A, F and D, but the roads are so bad I will 
not go. It is about fifteen miles to the farthest post, and 
bad roads at that. It is quite a serious thing to haul all 
of our supplies from there. I am trying to make ar- 
rangements to get them by way of the river. 

"We suspect that old Fever-and-ague lives down 
here and will be amongst us in August and September. 
The country is flat, but it is only a few miles to the 
spurs of the mountains. Brigade headquarters are 
going to Decatur. It would suit me just as well if they 
went to the Isthmus of Suez. They do not disturb us." 

"June 14, 1864. — I have been down to the river to- 
day. Our pickets exchange shots with the rebels on the 
other side almost every day. They are few in numbers, 
and the river is so wide that it is a harmless amusement 
for both sides. 

"Colonel Chapman is below on the river somewhere, 
and I expect him every day. The 18th Wisconsin is on 
the river below us. I have got the companies all posted 
now, and intend visiting them as soon as Colonel Chap- 
man gets back." 



148 REMINISCENCES 



"Claysville, Ala., Wed. Eve., June 15, 1864.— I got 
an order this evening to send four companies to Whites- 
burg, which is on the river south of Huntsville, and 
some six miles below our present beat. The Adjutant 
starts in the morning for Huntsville for more specific 
instructions; so I improve the opportunity to let you 
know once more that I am well. I do not expect this 
order will involve any change in my headquarters. Col- 
onel Chapman, I hear, is at Whitesburg now, waiting 
for these troops, and he will probably remain there and 
take care of that end of the route. This will relieve me 
from a good deal of tramping." 

"Claysville, Ala., June 16, 1864. — I send this by 
Lieutenant Balis, who goes to Woodville in the morning 
with the remains of his brother, who died this afternoon 
of pneumonia. He was a new recruit, about 35 years 
old, and leaves a wife and one or two children. He was 
a frail man and ought not to have gone into the service." 

"Claysville, Ala., Sun., June 20, 1864.— Colonel 
Chapman goes tomorrow morning with Companies A. B 
and K too Whitesburg, ten miles south of Huntsville, 
where he will have command. 

"It seems very healthy here. The regiment is un- 
commonly healthy. We shall occupy more than 40 miles 
of the river. I shall have about 250 men here, or close 
by. We are making arrangments to get mails and sup- 
plies by river. 

"We are not entirely out of the world, as a gunboat 
patrols the river from Bridgeport to Decatur once or 
twice a week ; and there is a railroad from Nashville to 
Decatur, you know. This boat will carry us up and 
down at any time. 

"We hear that Forrest has whipped us near Mem- 
phis and is making his way to Decatur. This will give 
the 18th Michigan a job, if true. Colonel Jim Howe's 
brigade is there, including the 32d Wisconsin. General 



OP THE CIVIL WAR 149 

Granger is there, too. The 13th Wisconsin is not there. 
I hear that the 8th Wisconsin is at Vicksburg on its way 
home on veteran furlough. I wish you to show all pos- 
sible attention to my Company K boys. Tell them that 
I do not do much fighting now-a-days, but I think a 
heap about them." 

"Claysville, Ala., June 26, 1864. — I have sent two, 
expeditions across the river the past week, one under 
the Adjutant to Guntersville, and one under Captain 
Blake into the country a few miles below here. They 
captured quite a number of horses and mules, and Cap- 
tain Blake captured two rebel officers — Captains, I 
think. They encountered no armed force. The Adjutant 
captured a rebel mail, containing many papers and let- 
ters. I send you two of these specimens. The letters 
are of no military importance. Most of them were writ- 
ten by privates in Johnson's and Lee^s army, and the 
writers all think that they are whipping us badly at all 
points. The tone of all the rebel papers is very sanguine 
of ultimate success. Never was any people so blind to 
their real condition as is this people. One fellow writes 
in May from somewhere in this State to his father that 
Lee has just defeated Grant in a great battle, and that 
our losses amount to 100,000 killed, wounded and pris- 
oners, while the rebel loss is but trifling. 

"The hot weather is upon us. This morning is clear 
and still, and the sun lets us know that we are 'down 
South.' Standing at noon with my back to the sun, my 
shadow falls just two inches beyond the toes of my boots. 
I am perfectly well, but I make as little exertion as pos- 
sible during the day. The nights are comfortable. 

"My regiment is so scattered, and therefore weak at 
any given point, that although there is no force of the 
enemy very near any part of our line, yet I can but feel 
constant anxiety. Indeed, I think I am leading a more 
anxious life than ever before in the service. The fact is. 



150 REMINISCENCES 

we are doing the duty and bearing the responsibility 
that ought to be divided between two regiments. I find 
that I have a good horse, and I ride much more than I 
ever did before. I can not realize that I have been in 
Wisconsin within three months. I never felt so isolated 
in my life." 

"Claysville, Ala., Thurs., June 30, 1864.— It is 
muster day, and I am very busy. Yesterday I visited 
Company I, six miles below here. The road runs over a 
mountain and the scenery is very fine. This afternoon 
I go up the river six miles to Company G to muster it. 

"Lieut. Fish made a raid across the river and cap- 
tured a rebel. Colonel Smith. He is here, and very much 
of a gentleman. He does not say so, but he acts just as 
though he were well satisfied to be in our hands. He 
will be sent to Nashville.* 

"There is a rebel force about forty miles from us, 
at Gadsden, on the Coosa river, about 3,000 strong, 
under General Pillow. The same force attacked La 
Fayette the other day and were repulsed. I rather hope 
they will give us a call, just for variety, but do not ex- 
pect it." 

"Claysville, Ala., July 2, 1864.— Captain Hewitt 
will be detailed as Assistant Ordinance Officer to Cap- 
tain Townsend at Nashville, and his wife can get to him 
without any difficulty when the weather will admit." 

"Claysville, Ala., July 6, 1864. — Captain Hart cap- 
tured a rebel mail, and I spent the forenoon in reading 
the letters. They are all confident of whipping Grant 
and Sherman just as they did Banks. They expect to 
be in Tennessee during the summer. I don't know but 
they will be." 

"Claysville, Ala., July 11, 1864. — Yesterday I was 
in the saddle all day visiting my command on the river. 

* He was a splendid fellow. I said, "Colonel, you do not want me 
to put a guard over you. You will have to go up to Nashville after a 
little, but now you are my g-uest." — W. P. L,. 



OF THE CIVIL WAR 151 

I rode about 16 miles on Saturday ; the day before, eight 
miles. Tomorrow I start on a trip to visit Companies F 
and D, down the river, and shall be absent about three 
days. I take a company of home scouts I am organiz- 
ing here, as an escort, although there is no enemy on our 
route that we know of. Still, in this country we always 
go prepared for emergencies. 

"You ask me if I am not in a great deal of danger 
here. I don't know. If only a moderate sized force of 
the enemy attacks us, no ; if a large force, yes. We are 
building strong fortifications on the river, and expect to 
have three or four gunboats patrolling it in a few weeks ; 
and if Sherman is successful in defeating Johnson, I 
do not think that we shall have any trouble. I have a 
good deal of business here with citizens. As there is no 
civil law or courts, I am judge, jui'y, arbitrator, and 
guardian for the whole country. An old woman is talk- 
ing to me now, boring me to death with a long story 
about another old woman, her neighbor, who she thinks 
is a rebel and a very dangerous character. I write this, 
with her talking persistently. I say 'yes,' and -really,' 
occasionally, and that satisfies her. The most of the 
people here are well disposed, and many of them, par- 
ticularly the poor class, are truly loyal. The old lady 
has finished her story, and so have I." 

"Clarksville, Ala., July 13, 1864.— Here I am, tired 
as a dog. I left Claysville yesterday morning and have 
just got here, having traveled over mountains, through 
swamps and canebrakes, escorted by about 30 Union 
guerillas, or home guards. 

"Stayed last night at Company D's, and expect to 
get back there tonight, and home tomorrow night. This 
point is on the Tennessee river, half way between Flint 
and Paintrock rivers, and some 20 miles below Clays- 
ville. It is the headquarters of Company F, Captain 
Hart. 



152 REMINISCENCES 

"I have passed through some wild, magnificent 
scenery on this trip, which I have no time to describe. I 
can write but little this time, but was not willing to let 
this anniversary of your birthday pass without letting 
you know that I remembered it." 

"Claysville, Ala., Pri., July 15, 1864 (at sunripe). — 
You will think it strange that I am writing to you at 
this time of day. I will tell you how it happened. I got 
back from my trip, concerning which I have already 
written you, yesterday afternoon, and went to bed at 
nine last night, very tired and sleepy, I assure you. Be- 
tween 11 and 12 o'clock Johnny (my orderly) burst into 
my room with, 'Colonel, the rebels are crossing the river 
with a large force down at the landing.' ( This is where 
Lieut. Fish is stationed, one mile from headquarters. ) I 
was sleeping very soundly, but managed to tumble out 
of bed, wondering why they couldn't just as well have 
waited until morning. So I dressed, and Jerry saddled 
the horse, and off the Adjutant and I galloped to the 
river (I am getting to be a famous horseman). There 
we found every evidence that there was a large force, 
and a very demonstrative one, on the other bank. We 
supposed that they had artillery from the noise made 
by their wagon train. So we went to work collecting our 
men, notifying the other companies on the river, sending 
out scouts and patrols, and making every possible ar- 
rangement for the battle that we expected to fight at 
daylight this morning. But daylight came and revealed 
to us a large force on the other side of the river, but the 
men were all in blue. 

"It turned out to be a large scout from Decatur, of 
which we had received no notice. We the more readily 
believed it a rebel force from the fact that only last 
Tuesday morning Lieut. Fish was across the river with 
only eight men and was attacked by between forty and 
fifty rebel cavalry, fought them, and with the aid of a 



OF THE CIVIL WAR 153 

few of our men, wlio succeeded in getting on an island 
near by, whipped them handsomely. The rebels admit a 
loss of three killed and four wounded. Not a man of 
ours received a scratch. It was almost a miracle. 

"I wondered often during the night what you would 
think had you known that we were passing the hours of 
the night in the trenches, expecting a fight in the morn- 
ing; but the luck of the 13th still clings to them, and 
nobody is hurt. 

"The force on the other side sent over a wounded 
officer, and behold, it was Captain Wilcox, of the 5th 
Iowa Cavalry, an old friend. He got a charge of buck- 
shot in the hip the other day on a raid south of this. He 
is doing well. 

"I find on going to my room that Jerry has packed 
and boxed all of my traps, and had them ready to load on 
the wagon in case Ave were worsted. I gave him no direc- 
tions about them — did not even think of them. During 
the night, the Adjutant, who remained at headquarters, 
tells me, Jerry volunteered to go one and a half miles 
alone to call in an outpost, and went. He was as cool 
and brave as any of the soldiers." 

"July IT, 1864. — I received a dispatch from General 
Granger, who is at Decatur, sent through a courier from 
Larkinsville, saying that if the rebels were crossing the 
river I must concentrate and hold out as long as pos- 
sible. 

"I have heard from Colonel Chapman. He had 
heard that we were falling back towards Woodville, and 
had concentrated his detachment at Whitesburg. I fear 
this scare will get into the newspapers and alarm our 
friends at home. I expect to see a statement published 
to the efeect that Forrest, with 15,000 men and 20 pieces 
of artillery, forced his way across the Tennessee river 
here, cut the 13th to pieces, killing, capturing and scat- 
tering the whole command, and that Colonel Lyon is 



154 REMINISCENCES 

among the missing — supposed to be killed, as he was 
seen to fall from his horse. Not much ! Be easy about 
us. I shall light all that come, and unless they have a 
good deal of artillery I shall successfully resist the pass- 
age of this river by any force short of an army. I don't 
think we are in any great peril, although we may be 
compelled to do some fighting. We are now very well 
fortified against a river attack, and are building block- 
houses, artillery proof, in which we could stand a siege 
if driven to it. When these are completed we are safe 
from capture. 

"My trip last week, although fatiguing, was very 
interesting. I rode half a mile under a precipice called 
Paintrock, several hundred feet high, along a narrow 
bridle path, running under projections of the cliff fre- 
quently, and a precipice 50 to 100 feet deep below us, at 
the bottom of which is the river. In some places it was 
dark enough for late twilight, although it was the mid- 
dle of a very bright afternoon." 

"July 19. — You do not write much about the 8th 
Wisconsin. I suppose they are soon to leave again. God 
bless them, wherever they are. A braver and truer set 
of men never faced an enemy." 

"Claysville, Ala., Sat., July 23, 1864.— We have 
heard a good deal of distant cannonading for three or 
four days in the direction of Blue Mountain, 60 or 70 
miles from here, where Pillow's force used to be. We 
think General Rousseau is down there fighting him. Cap- 
tain Ruger is with Rousseau. 

"Everything is quiet here in this vicinity. Yester- 
day I rode up to Company G and back (six miles), and 
this afternoon I am going to Company I, five miles down 
the river, returning tomorrow. I ride like a Texican, 
and begin to like the saddle." 

"Claysville, Ala., Wed., July 27, 1864.— I rode over 
to Fort Deposit (Co. I) after writing to you Saturday. 



OF THE CIVIL WAR 155 

Returned here Sunday night. I had a visit from Colonel 
Anderson, 11th Indiana Cavalry, who is chasing and 
killing guerillas out towards Huntsville. He used to 
preach in Chicago and latterly in Michigan City. I 
think he is one of the roughest men I have met lately; 
but he is talented and brave. I rode over to Deposit with 
him on Monday morning, and returnd the same day. 
Was accompanied by an ex-Captain of the 18th Michi- 
gan, who has been here a week buying cotton. His name 
is Stevens. He resigned and turned speculator. 

"We heard of a small force on the other side of the 
river, and on Sunday night I let Captain Kingman have 
over 100 men to go over to try to get them. The gang 
got away, however. Everything is quiet now on both 
sides of the river. The people on the south side are 
anxiously inquiring what they shall do to be saved. 

Kingman's advance guard had a skirmish with a 
lot of rebels near a house where they had been getting 
breakfast, the owner belonging to the gang. The Cap- 
tain burned the house, very properly. We send all dis- 
satisfied or dangerous persons across the river. I tell 
them that I would rather fight them than watch them. 

"The regiment keeps very healthy, except Company 
K, at Whitesburg. That company has from 20 to 30 sick 
in it. I intend to go there and to Decatur within a few 
days. 

"Lieut. Parker commands Company E. Captain 
Hewitt is Assistant Ordnance Officer with Captain 
Townsend. Captain Kummel has the same position at 
Chattanooga on General Thomas' staff. Captain Noyes 
is on a Court-Martial at Nashville." 

"Decatur, Ala., Sun., Aug. 7, 1864. — I am on an 
expedition. I left Claysville yesterday morning, reached 
Huntsville last night, and came here this morning. I 
rode part of the way to Woodville in an ambulance and 



156 REMINISCENCES 

part of the way on horseback. My trip is doing me lots 
of good. Captain Hart is with me. 

"The 32d Wisconsin (Colonel Howe's regiment), 
which has been here several months, left two or three 
days since for the front. Colonel Howe has resigned. I 
have been here with General Granger all the morning. 
He told me that our brigade, before we came down here, 
was ordered to the front and the order was counter- 
manded. There seems to be no prospect now of our mov- 
ing anywhere very soon. I go back to Huntsville to- 
night and shall probably go to Whitesburg (10 miles) 
tomorrow. I thought some of going to Nashville, but 
found I could transact all my business here and was glad 
to get rid of the trip." 

"Claysville, Ala., Thurs., Aug. 11, 1864.— I have 
just got back from my trip, tired but well. I stayed 
three nights at Huntsville, one at Whitesburg with Col- 
onel Chapman, and last night with Company G at Law's 
Landing. I saw Captain Woodman, Captain Norcross, 
Dr. Smith, Lieutenants Brown, Wemple, Button and 
Murray, who is sick in Huntsville. 

"I suppose there is a good deal of squirming about 
the coming draft, and I really sympathize with many of 
those who will be drawn, for I know from the experience 
of these long, weary, anxious years what a terrible thing 
it is to be separated from wife, children and home, and 
to be surrounded by peril, suffering and death for so 
long a time ; yet I do not know that it is any harder for 
them than it is for those who are already in the service. 
Besides, this draft is only for a year. Efforts are being 
made to get negroes here to fill the quotas of some locali- 
ties, but without much success. The soldiers are 
strongly opposed to it and throw every obstacle in the 
way of the recruiting agents." 

"Claysville, Ala., Thursday, Aug. 18, 1864. — Every- 
thing is quiet here. Occasionally a scouting party of 



OF THE CIVIL WAR 157 

rebels make their appearance on the other side of the 
river and fire across at our pickets, but they do not stay 
long. Yesterday this occurred opposite Company C. 
They are careful to keep the river between them and us. 
There are guerillas in the mountains on this side, but 
they never come on our beat. These fellows always give 
cavalry a wide berth, but they sometimes pitch into in- 
fantry. 

"A great many deserters, contrabands and refugees 
come to us from the other side. We send them North. 
Some of the deserters enlist in our regiment. They tell 
the same story of despondency, destitution, and a grow- 
ing Union sentiment in the South. Lieut. Murray is 
very sick at Huntsville. Fears are entertained that he 
will not recover." 

"Aug. 20, 1864. — The Adjutant has just returned 
from an inspection tour down the line. There is a rebel 
force on the other side of the river, as near as I can 
learn. About a regiment recently came in there. I 
suppose they are going to picket that side of the river 
and try to keep us on our side. Five of Company A 
men were captured across the river on Thursday, near 
the mouth of Flint river, twenty miles below. They 
were over there and were decoyed away from the river, 
surrounded and captured — no one hurt." 

"Claysville, Ala., Tues., Aug. 23, 1864.— The rebels 
are on the other side of the river in some force, but they 
do not act at all threatening. They seem to be doing the 
same duty on that side of the river that we are doing on 
this side — that is, picketing the river and watching us. 
Thus far they have shown no disposition to get across, 
but of course I know nothing of their intentions. We, 
however, keep a strict watch on them. They appear to 
be in our front from here to Whitesburg. 

"The river is getting quite high and two gunboats 
passed down yesterday to Decatur. It is rather agree- 



158 REMINISCENCES 

able to have these fellows about when there is an enemy 
near us. It seems a little more like war to see an enemy 
occasionally, but I do not expect to have a fight with 
them unless I go over there after it, which I may do when 
I ascertain more about their position and strength. How- 
ever, I shall take no unnecessary risks." 

"Claysville, Ala., Sun., Aug. 29, 1864.— I have rid- 
den fifteen miles today. I am now with Company C at 
our landing, waiting the return of a gunboat that passed 
down the river this morninig convoving a steamer loaded 
with supplies for the regiment. 

"There is undoubtedly quite a large rebel force on 
the other side of the river a few miles back in the coun- 
try. I hear they intend to try to cross the river. I think 
the gunboats and the 13th together can prevent them 
from doing it, and if the gunboats are not here when 
they attempt it, the 13th will try to do it alone. The 
river is high now and they can only cross in boats, which 
I understand they are building for the purpose. It is 
quite possible that we shall have a brush with them, and 
if we do — there is so much solicitude felt about our abil- 
ity to hold this line — you will hear all sorts of exag- 
gerated reports from us through the papers before we 
can get any news to you. Pay no attention to these re- 
ports unless they are favorable ; and if you hear direct 
from us, which will be as speedily as possible after any- 
thing of interest transpires, I will keep you posted as 
to our situation, as I always have done. 

"On Thursday last a party of rebels came opposite 
Law's Landing and fired at Company G, stationed there. 
Lieut. Balis sent over a party of men soon after, who 
came up to the rear guard of the rebels and killed two of 
them. A woman wanted to cross there and our boys had 
promised to bring her over. She had gone down to call 
them across the river, when the rebels first made their 
appearance, secreting themselves so that our men could 



OF THE CIVIL WAR 159 

not see them, and insisted that she should call our boys 
over, in which case they could easily be captured or 
killed; but she absolutely refused to do so, and no en- 
treaties or threats could shake her resolution. She 
sat down and told them that they might kill her as quick 
as they pleased, but she would not, even for the sake of 
her life, do so base an act. They then commenced firing. 
The party from Company G brought her back with them. 
I have not seen her. She is a Union woman and a hero- 
ine. 

"On Thursday night Captain Blake, who is located 
ten miles down the river, got information that a force 
was intending to cross that night near his post. I put 
the whole line in the best possible shape for defense and 
went to Deposit, where Company I is stationed. I was 
up nearly all night making arrangements to meet the 
attack, and in the morning went down to Captain 
Blake's. No demonstration was made on us, however, 
and I returned to headquarters on Friday afternoon. 
While the enemy is in our immediate front I expect but 
little bodily or mental rest." 

"Claysville, Ala., Tues., 2 a. m., Aug. 30, 1864.— You 
will wonder why I am writing to you at this time in the 
morning;. I will tell vou. We had information that a 
large force of rebels was in our immediate front, on the 
other side of the river. I spent the whole day yesterday 
in preparing for an attack, which I confidently expected 
before long. Last evening Sergeant Moulton came up 
here from his station on the river and told me that he 
had information from the same source that this force 
received orders on Sunday to repair at once to Atlanta 
and that they all left for that place on that day and yes- 
terday ; that his informant saw the last piece of artillery 
leave; and, further, that the rebels had 13 pieces of 
artillery. I felt greatly relieved, and not having slept 



160 REMINISCENCES 

much the night before I congratulated myself on a good 
night's sleep in prospect. 

"I had just sat down to write some dispatches to 
General Granger to send off in the morning, when I re- 
ceived a note from Lieut, Fish saying that a force had 
made its apperance on the other side of the river. This 
was about eight o'clock. I immediately went doAvn to 
his camp and found that a force has reallj^ come into 
Guntersville, which is about three-fourths of a mile from 
the river. It was after dark and they could see nothing, 
but they could hear commands given. I am satisfied that 
the force is not large, and that it has no artillery; yet 
their presence made ii: necessary to use all precautions 
against a surprise or an attack, and that along my whole 
line, for their making their appearance here was no evi- 
dence that they would not strike at some other point 
should they attack us, but rather the contrary. So I 
came back here and have been engaged ever since in 
sending off orders and dispatches. I expect some gun- 
boats down today from Bridgeport, and when they get 
here I shall feel easier." 

"Claysville, Ala., Tues. Eve., Aug. 30, 1864.— The 
rebel force has certainly left our front. There are two 
gunboats here tonight, and they will be constantly along 
our line hereafter. We have been in great peril, but I 
think the danger permanently passed. We shall have 
no serious trouble here now for some time, if at all." 



OF THE CIVIL WAR 



161 




iintsville, Ala., Sat., Sept. 3, 1864.— I 
have been knocking about consider- 
ably since I wrote to you last. Wed- 
nesday I got an order to concentrate 
my end of the regiment, except one 
company, at Woodville. That evening 
I started out with E and H, went four 
miles. The next morning took G and 
got to Woodville at noon. Soon after 
I and D arrived. I supposed we were on an expedition 
after Wheeler or some of these raiders who are playing 
smash in our rear; but when I got there I found dis- 
patches from General Granger ordering me to come here 
and take command of the railroad and all of the troops 
on it from here to Stevenson, together with all of the 
troops at this place. 

''I came down here last evening on the cars, and sent 
back a special train and brought down the men this 
morning. I found Colonel Chapman here with A and B. 
K is at Whitesburg and C at Claysville. F is on the road 
here. The Adjutant, Jerry, and a good many men with 
the ague are at Claysville. General Granger is up the 
railroad somewhere at a threatened point and I have 
not seen him. I have sent for the Adjutant and Jerry, 

"We are cut off from Nashville and I don't know 
when you will get this lettter. Wheeler has been in 
there and cut the railroads. I will write just the same. 
I have just issued an order assuming my command. The 
General in his order gives me power to move troops 
wherever I think they are needed, and orders me to meet 
the enemy wherever they make their appearance and 
'Strike to scatter and destroy.' 

"We shall have rooms for the present in one of the 
largest houses in town, owned and occupied by an old 
widow, Mrs. Rice." 



162 REMINISCENCES 

"Headquarters, E. R. Defenses, M. & C. R. R., 
Huntsville, Ala., Sept. 6, 1864. — I give you the name of 
my establishment. I think it quite showy. We have 
just located this afternoon. We have nice quarters. The 
Adjutant and I each have a large, carpeted, well furn- 
ished room, in the second story of a large mansion very 
pleasantly located. We have a kitchen in the back yard, 
where we are to eat and where old Minty, our cook, lives. 
Jerry, Johnny, and our clerk have pitched their tents 
just back of the house, and we have altogether the coziest 
headquarters you ever saw. 

"I expect communications will be opened to Nash- 
ville by tomorrow, via Stevenson. You will learn 
enough of Wheeler's raid by the newspapers not to be 
surprised at getting no letters from me. Wheeler is west 
of us, and our troops are driving him toward the Muscle 
Shoals. General Steadman went through here today with 
a considerable force to join Rousseau and Granger. 

"There is quite a large force of guerrillas south of 
the railroad on my beat that I intend to drive out as soon 
as General Granger returns and I can get some cavalry. 

"Lieut. Graham was coming through with our 
wagon train, and camped last night four miles out of 
Woodville. I hear he was attacked in the night and that 
Company F, which had just reached Woodville, has gone 
out to help him. I do not know the result, but shall in a 
few hours. 

"Company F had a man shot and captured tbe 
night before they left the river. He was carrying dis- 
patches, and is supposed to be mortally wounded. So 
you see we have war even here." 

"Sept. 11, 1864. — I will write again from force of 
habit, for the cars do not yet run to Nashville and two 
letters that I have written to you still lie in the post- 
office at this place. We learn that the railroads ai'e 
nearly repaired. General Granger has not yet returned 



OF THE CIVIL WAR 163 

to Huntsville, aud I am tied up here until he does re- 
turn ; then I propose to make an inspection tour to Stev- 
enson and back, and an expedition southeast towards 
Claysville, to clear the country of guerillas. 

"Quite a number of the men are sick with chills and 
fever, caused by malaria. Captain Norcross and Dr. 
Horton went to Nashville just before the raid and have 
not been able to get back. I have sent Captain Kingman 
to Whitesburg with a detachment of seventy-five men 
taken from all of the companies. It is a sickly hole and 
I intend to change the men there as often as once a week. 
Company C, with the band and a lot of convalescents, is 
still at Claysville Landing. I have not heard from them 
for several days. I have no fears for their safety. They 
are strongly fortified and the gunboats are frequently 
there. 

"I told you in my last of an attack made on Com- 
pany F. It was a mistake. The attack was made on a 
company of home guards, about a mile from the train — 
one killed and one wounded on each side, and ten of the 
guards (who are loyal men) captured. They were sur- 
prised by guerrillas. 

"It is a paradise here, where the rude hand of war 
has not desolated it. Huntsville is a beautiful town. 
Before the war there was much wealth in it, and it was 
the pride of the South. The city has not been torn up 
much, but the country about is devastated. 

"General Granger, I hear, is expected tonight." 

"Stevenson, Wed., Sept. 14, 1864. — I am here on an 
inspecting tour of railroad defenses. I came yesterday, 
leaving Huntsville on Monday. Went to Bridgeport last 
night, returning early this morning. I have written sev- 
eral letters during the blockade and you may receive 
this one first of all. Colonel Anderson, of the 12th In- 
diana Cavalry, which is a part of my command, is with 
me. Dr. Horton came here this morning from Nashville, 



164 REMINISCENCES 

where lie has been during the interruption of our com- 
munication." 

"Huntsville, Ala., Sun., Sept. 18, 1864.— I wrote to 
you from Stevenson last Wednesday, returned here the 
same night, and on Friday I received four letters from 
you. What a feast I had ! 

"Everything is quiet here except that there is a gang 
of guerillas between the railroad and Tennessee river, 
variously estimated at from 75 to 250 strong, under one 
Johnson, a Methodist preacher. They do not disturb the 
railroad thus far, but rob and murder Union men 
wherever they find them defenceless. General Granger 
has promised me some troops to make an expedition 
after them in a few days. 

"The 13th has been sent out on the railroad to take 
the place of another regiment, the 12th Indiana Cavalry, 
sent to Tullahoma. The regiment garrisons the defense 
of the railroad to Wocdville, twenty-four miles towards 
Stevenson. Company C is still at Claysville Landing, 
and Captain Kingman, with 75 or 80 men, is at Whites- 
burg. While I have my present command I shall 'do- 
main here. 

"I think I have met with a loss here in the way of 
horses. Now 'horses' is rather a delicate subject for me 
to write to you upon, but I will venture. The one I 
bought in Stevenson got lame, and I took a captured 
horse to ride in his place. Mine got well, but I liked the 
other and kept him. Both turned out to be capital, good 
animals, and last Wednesday both of them were stolen 
out of a little yard where they were feeding, right in 
the middle of this town. No one is to blame but the 
thief. We can get no track of them. T\Tien I go for 
Johnson I will try to capture another." 

"Huntsville, Ala., Sept. 21, 1864. — I go out as far as 
Woodville, 24 miles on the railroad, in the morning, but 



OF THE CIVIL WAR 165 

will not be gone long. They run out a special train for 
me, so I can return when I please. 

"Everything is perfectly quiet throughout my whole 
command. I have a lot of cavalry out after guerilla 
Johnson, and they are spreading terror amongst the peo- 
ple who have been guilty of harboring these fellows. If 
the cavalry fail to smoke him out, I shall try him with 
infantry and go myself. 

"I have a pleasant room in the second story, well 
furnished, my amiable and excellent landlady ( whom I 
have not seen since we have been in her house) having 
left the furniture. The room is nearly twenty feet 
square, and at least fifteen feet high, has a grate, four 
large windows with blinds outside and damask curtains 
inside. The floor is carpeted. The furniture is all old- 
fashioned — an enormous bedstead with high posts and 
a canopy, spring mattress, bolster, pillows with ruffled 
slips, sheets and a white counterpane; an arm rocking 
chair, cushioned ; several flag bottomed chairs ; a chest of 
drawers, wardrobe (kex)t locked), marble-topped wash- 
stand, a little table, on which I am writing ; large look- 
ing glass, a sewing machine, a few lithographs in square, 
gilt frames; wash bowl and pitcher, some earthern 
candlesticks and a thermometer, constitute my furni- 
ture. The Adjutant has a similar room, with rather 
more furniture, which we use as an oflflce. There is only 
a hall between us. Our kitchen and dining room, where 
old Minty and her little girl, six years old, live, is a few 
rods back of the house, and Jerry, Johnny, clerk and 
orderlies, live in their tents in the back yard. 

"I think you could stand it if you were here, espec- 
ially after wintering in a tent. I have sent by Captain 
Noyes to Nashville to try and get a permit for you and 
Minerva to come. He is acquainted with Colonel Saw- 
yer, General Sherman's Adjutant-General, who has 
power to gTant these permits, and thinks he can get it. 



166 REMINISCENCES 

He left here for Nashville this morning. No ladies are 
coining south of Nashville, so far as I know. If you were 
to apply to him for leave to come he would say to you 
that if the Government would be as much benefited by 
your coming as it would be were 175 pounds of corn 
shipped in your place, he would let you come. Mrs. 
Moulton wishes to come, aud I think to accomplish it 
she will take an appointment as matron in the hospital 
at Decatur. Of course, it is entirely inadmissible for you 
to get here in any such manner." 

"Huntsville, Ala., Mon., Sept. 26, 1864.— Forrest, 
with a large force, is raiding in this region, and I have 
been up nearly all night for two nights, moving troops, 
telegTaphing, etc. He captured Athens, 25 miles west 
of here on the railroad, Saturday, and yesterday cap- 
tured and burned a long trestle work a few miles north 
of Athens. Reinforcements came down yesterday from 
Chattanooga to go to General Granger at Decatur, but I 
received orders from General Sherman's headquarters to 
turn them about and send them to Nashville, which 1 
did. I infer from this that Forrest is moving north. We 
hear all sorts of reports about what his intentions are, 
but can not form any definite idea about it. 

"We have a good fort here, considerable artillery 
and some troops, and will try to give a good account of 
ourselves if attacked. A train was captured at Athens 
which had on it a mail. The road to Nashville via Stev- 
enson is still open, but will probably be broken, and we 
shall have another blockade. I send this to Stevenson 
and hope it will get through. 

"I took all the troops that I could possibly spare 
from the railroad and sent them to General Granger 
yesterday. Colonel Chapman took about 300 of the 13th. 
I do not hear a word from my horses. Two companies of 
the 18th Michigan were captured at Athens. 

"Now, do not worry about me. I, as well as you. 



OF THE CIVIL WAR 167 

am in the hands of a kind Father, who does all things for 
the best, and we can trust Him without a fear or doubt. 
I do not disguise from you that we are environed with 
perils, but I will try to do my duty and leave the event. 

"I hear that recruiting is lively all over the North. 
This is good news for us, for the men are needed." 

"Huntsville, Ala., Thurs., Sept. 29, 1864.— I suppose 
you learn from the newspapers that Forrest is playing 
smash in here. He first struck the railroad at Athens. 
His coming was a complete surprise. He captured the 
garrison there (a colored regiment) without much of a 
fight. Just as the surrender took place, reinforcements 
from Decatur reached there, the most of whom were 
captured. The 18th Michigan loses 300 and the 102d 
Ohio, 150 men. He then went north to a heavy trestle 
work a few miles from Athens and captured two regi- 
ments, burning the trestle. Then he moved on to Elk 
river bridge and captured and destroyed it ; after which 
he pressed forward to Pulaski, where he encountered 
General Rousseau with reinforcements. They have been 
fighting, but we do not know the result. 

"This morning I received dispatches from Decatur 
that Forrest moved on Tuesday night towards the Nash- 
ville and Chattanooga R. R., in the direction of Fayette- 
ville. His force is 6,000 to 8,000 strong, with plenty of 
artillery. I keep scouting parties in the direction of 
Fayetteville constantly. I do not think he will come 
this way, although when he was at Athens I felt a little 
squally. 

"Heavy reinforcements have come up from the front 
and have gone toward Nashville, and more are expected. 
So I think we are out of the woods. Colonel Chapman, 
with a part of the regiment, is still at Decatur. 

"Just at this point I received the following telegram 
from General Granger at Decatur : ^Strengthen Hunts- 
ville all you can. Use every available cotton bale for 



168 REMINISCENCES 

traverses in fort to defend against enfilading- fire. Thor- 
oughly barricade the streets. Defend all approaches to 
the fort as comxiletely as possible.' 

"I had been doing all this for several days, but, to 
be certain that everything is right, I started out and 
made a thorough examination of the works. I do not 
know whether the General thinks that Forrest is coming 
this way or not. I keep out scouting parties fifteen or 
twenty miles towards Pulaski and Fayetteville con- 
stantly, but as yet can hear nothing of his moving this 
way. If he comes, I have a good fort, some artillery and 
a gallant little garrison, and hope to be able to make a 
good fight. I think, however, that the order is merely 
precautionary, as this is the first time that he has said 
anything about the defenses. If he had information that 
we were in danger of attack he would have said so. His 
family are here and have had no communication from 
him on the subject. Then we can be reinforced in a few 
hours, if attacked, both from Decatur and Stevenson. 
The General is feeling very badly. He was surprised. 
The railroad under his charge is seriously injured and 
he has lost 3,000 to 4,000 of his command. These are 
hard blows for any officer to stand up under. 

"No doubt you will know the result of operations 
here before you receive this. I am confident that a vig- 
orous effort is being made by General Sherman to head 
off and destroy the force engaged in this raid, and I shall 
expect in a day or two to see large reinforcements mov- 
ing this way. How fortunate that it did not happen be- 
fore the capture of Atlanta, when no troops could have 
been spared ! 

"I have been much broken of my rest for four or five 
nights, and am very busy all the time, I am a good dea' 
worn and fatigued with labor, anxiety and loss of sleep, 
but am well. If any one is ambitious for an important 
military command in times of peril, or thinks it is a soft 



OF THE CIVIL WAR 169 

thing to be an officer, I am perfectly willing that he 
should have a chance to try it on. Oh, it will be para- 
dise, indeed, if I am permitted to sit down at home once 
more with wife and children, family and friends, and 
know that the war is over, the flag triumphant, and my 
duty as a soldier done. AVill not that be a happy day for 
us all?" 

"Huntsville, Ala., Oct. 2, 1864. — I keep on writing 
to you, although I do not suppose that one of my letters 
has reached Nashville for over a week. Of course, I re- 
ceive none from you. The railroad over which our mails 
pass is not used, and the other road is used exclusively to 
transport troops. 

"When Forrest left the railroad, near Pulaski, he 
went east towards the Nashville & Chattanooga R. R., 
but, as far as I can learn, has not injured it. On Thurs- 
day I sent a scouting party nearly to Fayetteville, 28 
miles north of this place, who learned that his army 
passed through there the night before, going east. The 
next clay I sent another scout in a northeast direction 
and about 12 miles out. They ran into a large force of 
the enemy and had a little fight. On their return Gen- 
eral Granger, who in the meantime had arrived here 
from Decatur, sent out another scout on the same road, 
and soon after we heard them skirmishing some two 
miles out of town. This was just at night. The scout 
came in and reported 150 rebels there. They lost one 
man, killed. We made every preparation for defense. 
In the evening a flag of truce came in with a communica- 
tion from the rebel General Buford, saying that he com- 
manded the advance of Forrest's army, and demanding a 
surrender of the town, fort, troops, etc., at this post. The 
substance of General Granger's answer was, 'Go to h — 1.' 

"Some further correspondence occurred during the 
night, the dispatches purporting to be signed by Forrest 
himself. He offered to let the citizens have two hours 



170 REMINISCENCES 

after daylight to get out of the town. We allowed all to 
leave who chose to go, and most of them went. There 
was a terrible panic amongst them. They are nearly all 
rebels, and General Granger, Colonel Johnson and my- 
self had all told them repeatedly that if we were at- 
tacked we would play smash with their old town. It was 
interesting to see them, on foot, on horses and mules and 
in all sorts of vehicles, run from their doomed town, as 
they supposed. They went in all directions, but mainly 
to the mountains near by. 

"Well, about'eight o'clock on Saturday morning sev- 
eral parties of the enemy appeared in sight and moved up 
to within one or two miles of the town. Whenever we 
could get a fair view of them we let the shells fly at them. 
They kept pretty well under the cover of the woods, and 
after an hour or so, there being no apparent increase of 
their force, we sent out scouts, who at noon reported that 
the enemy had left and were moving west, saying that 
they could take Huntsville, but that it would cost them 
more men than they could afford to lose. So the citizens 
returned and everything quieted down again. I was up 
all Friday night, and stayed at the fort last night, but 
slept most of the time. Tonight I am at headquarters 
and hope to have a good, quiet, ten-hours' sleep. 

"The 13th had its usual luck, or would have had it 
had there been a fight. About twenty minutes before we 
learned that the rebels were in our neighborhood, Gen- 
eral Granger started all of them who were here, some 
200, on the cars toward Stevenson to remove the wreck 
of a train that was fired into and ran off the track at 
Bellfonte the same morning. So they would not have 
been here at all, except Company E, which we brought up 
from Whitesburg during Friday night. The regiment 
returned last evening and this afternoon was sent to its 
old stations on the railroad. 

"Last evening several thousand troops arrived here 



OF THE CIVIL WAR 171 

to reinforce us. They are commanded by General Mor- 
gan, with whom I formed a very pleasant acquaintance 
at Stevenson a year ago. This force went down towardb 
Decatur this evening on a reconnoisance. While it is in 
our vicinity we are in no danger of attack. 

, "We have no knowledge of the size of the force that 
made this demonstration on us. General Granger thinks 
it was Forrest's whole force. I do not. I think it was 
large enough, however, to satisfy them that it could take 
Huntsville. I was much relieved to have the General 
here to take the responsibility of the command. I was 
also much relieved to know that you were in Wisconsin, 
safe and snug. 

"Jerry packed up my traps and carried them to the 
fort, and then took a musket and went into a colored 
company we have here and was ready to fight. The of- 
ficers and men of the 13th are nearly all sick. I have re- 
ported the regiment as unfit for field duty, and mean that 
it shall lie still for a few weeks to recuperate." 

"Huntsville, Ala., Oct. 4, 1864. — I am well but com- 
pletely tired out. The raid seems to have passed us. We 
find that we were menaced by 4,000 men with artillery, 
and when they came they no doubt intended to attack, 
but gave it up. So we have lost another fight." 

"Huntsville, Ala., Thurs., Oct. 6, 1864.— We have 
had lively times, but everything has settled down now 
into the quiet of utter stagnation, and last night I was 
allowed to sleep all night without interruption. The 
night before, just at bedtime, I received information that 
there were a thousand rebels nine miles from Larkins- 
ville. So I had to put out in the rain and send out rein- 
forcements and telegraph orders, and it was nearly mid- 
night before I got to bed. It turned out to be a small 
guerilla party. The last we heard of Forrest, he was in 
the vicinity of Columbia. There are so many troops in 



172 REMINISCENCES 

this vicinity that we had no fear of his coming this way 
again." 

"Huntsville, Ala., Oct. 9, 1864. — All is quiet now, 
Forrest having recrossed the river without being much 
damaged. There will be a large force kept in this dis- 
trict, no doubt, which will lead to changes, and it is hard 
to guess how it will affect us. We may remain right 
where we are, we may be sent back to the river, and we 
may go to Atlanta. One is just about as likely as the 
other. We shall know soon. 

"I have found one of my horses^ — the best one — in a 
contraband camp two miles from town. As father used 
to say, 'Give a man luck, and a little wit will do.' 

"Most of the officers who are entitled to a discharge 
will take one when the original term of service of the 
13th expires. The officers who went home with the regi- 
ment last winter are not held by reason of having done 
so, the War Department having overruled General 
Thomas in that respect. If the Major goes out. Captain 
Kummel will be Lieut.-Colonel. We shall not be en- 
titled to a Major, the regiment being below the minimum 
(806 enlisted men). In that case. Fish may stay as Cap- 
tain of Company C. If not, Bardwell will be Captain, 
and I think that Moulton will be a Lieutenant. 

"I go up the road tomorrow on an inspecting tour 
as far as Stevenson. I take a special train and expect 
to be gone two days. Officers and men of the 13th nearly 
all sick, but I hope the cool weather will straighten 
them up." 

"Huntsville, Ala., Thurs., Oct. 13, 1864.— I went to 
Stevenson and back on Monday on an inspecting tour. 
The regiment is still very sickly. 

"Things are very unsettled here, and we are liable 
to be struck by heavy forces of the rebels almost any 
day." 

"Huntsville, Ala., Oct. 16, 1864.— Everything is 



OF THE CIVIL WAR 173 

mixed and in confusion with us. The reason is that the 
rebels are making desperate efforts to break up our com- 
munications, and troops are being constantly moved to 
threatened points. Today I am sending off parts of two 
cavalry regiments in my command to Nashville to be 
mounted. Colonel Johnson, the commander of this post, 
goes with them ; and tomorrow morning, in addition to 
my other duties, I assume command of the post. This 
will give me about all the work that I can do, but I hope 
that it will not last long. 

"General Granger came up from Decatur and called 
on us last night. He is very salubrious. His family are 
here and are quite popular. General Granger's treat- 
ment of the regiment and of myself is very kind and 
considerate, as much so as I could ask and more so than 
I could expect. 

"The campaign now opening will be fought out be- 
tween Louisville and Atlanta, and we are as much ex- 
posed as any other part of the line north of the Ten- 
nessee river, or more so. The tide of battle as it surges 
from point to point along the line may strike us any 
time, and it is hardly possible that we should escape it 
entirely, and I do not know that I care to escape it. 

"I am weighed down with care and responsibility, 
and that responsibility is terrific, for it has to do with 
human life. Then I am torn away and kept year after 
year from home and family, and they seem dearer to me 
every day; and further, I lead a life of constant peril 
and uncertainty. All these things, added to the fact 
that the best years of my life are passing away and we 
are getting poorer every year financially, do sometimes 
press on my feelings pretty snug. When I last wrote I 
was not very well. I am better now, but everybody else 
is sick. I have a fine command; my reputation as an 
officer and gentleman is first-rate, and my military 
standing, position and character are all I could desire." 



174 REMINISCENCES 

"Himtsville, Ala., Oct. 19, 1864.— I took command 
of this post on Monday morning and I do not have any 
more leisure. I write this while I am waiting for din- 
ner. Hood has, or has had, a large force up towards 
Chattanooga. We hear that he is backing out, but know 
nothing about it. There are plenty of troops up that 
way to take care of him. We know nothing of Forrest's 
movements since he crossed the river. I do not think he 
will try another raid till we get the railroad which he 
destroyed repaired. If he comes here we usually have 
troops enough to make a pretty good fight." 

"Huntsville Landing, Ala., Sunday, Oct. 23, 1864.— 
I go on a tour of inspection up the railroad tomorrow 
and expect to be gone two days. Lieut. -Colonel Horner, 
18th Michigan Provost Marshal here, will command in 
my absence. We expect some more troops here soon, 
and if we remain here I shall probably retain my rail- 
road defense command and move headquarters to Lar- 
kinsville. That arrangement will suit me very well. I 
hope matters will settle down before a great while so 
that I can form some idea where I shall be the coming 
winter. 

"Lieutenant Bowerman's resignation has been ac- 
cepted and I hear that he has gone home. A new order 
from the War Department holds in the service all those 
officers who had a veteran furlough with their regiments. 
It affects several of our officers who were intending to 
leave. 

"Fifty or sixty recruits came to the regiment the 
other day, and we sent up to find a clerk amongst them. 
They sent us one, and it was George Larson, I was 
taken completely by surprise. 

"Colonel Chapman has gone to Nashville to see 
about mustering out the non-veterans. The health of the 
regiment is improving." 

"Oct. 27, 1864. — Hood's army passed us within fif- 



OF THE CIVIL WAR 175 

teen miles of Whitesburg, and yesterday they attacked 
Decatur. They fought all the afternoon, and our troops 
drove them off. I have no particulars, although I get 
dispatches from there every hour. We heard the artil- 
lery plainly here. There are 150 of the 13th there, com- 
manded by Captain Blake. I think our losses are light, 
as our forces had fortifications to shelter them. I do 
not think they are fighting much today. The probability 
is that the rebel army has moved down the river on the 
south side towards Tuscumbia. 

"We just got information from a scout that our 
army is in hot pursuit and can not be far behind. It 
was said to have been at Gadsden on the Coosa river last 
Monday night. I have a number of first-class scouts and 
spies that I have kept at work on the other side of the 
river, mostly tracking Hood's movements. I think I 
have furnished General Thomas with the earliest and 
most authentic information he has had of the operations 
of the rebel army for the past week. 

"General Granger was here when the attack com- 
menced at Decatur, but left for that place immediately.* 
He has drawn away nearly all the force from here to De- 
catur and Whitesburg. All of these operations keep me 

* They thought Hood's army was moving on the south side of 
the river, ten or fifteen miles away, and I had some splendid scouts 
there. After the head of his column had passed south of Huntsville 
and kept on Tvest, we expected tliat they would try to cross the river 
at W^hitesburg; taut one niglit at midnight a courier came in with the 
w^ord tliat the head of the army liad passed the Whiteburg road and 
was poined toward Decatur, less than a day's march from where they 
were. I got the artillery on tlie cars and had everything ready, be- 
cause I knew that General Granger would be attacked. I called in 
all the pickets that I could spare, leaving the necessary pickets 
around Huntsville, but having the rest ready to march. After dinner 
General Granger came into headquarters and said, "Colonel, I can not 
find out anything and I have come up here to find what is going on." 
I said, "General, you will find out before night what is going on. 
Hood is advancing on Decatur and will get there before night." He 
said, "I do not believe it," but as we sat there talking we heard the 
distant boom of artillery and the General pricked up his ears and 
said, "What is that?" I said, "It is Hood at Decatur." He said, "It is 
impossible!" but he realized what it meant. I told him everything 
was ready and could be started right away and asked him if he 
wanted me to go with them. By the time he got to the depot every- 
thing was ready, and he got to Decatur in an hour. They drove 
Hood off and he went on down the river, destroying a pontoon bridge 
— W. P. L. 



176 KEMINISCENCES 

up nights and make me lots of work. Adjutant Scott is 
invaluable to me in this crowd of business, and I have 
another good Adjutant at post headquarters, so you see 
I have good help. 

"I have had no apprehension of an immediate at- 
tack here, yet I am very thankful that you are snug in 
Racine instead of being here. Hood has to be settled 
before we shall have much quiet." 

"Nov. 3, 1864. — To give you an idea of the way busi- 
ness runs with me, I will give you my experiences after 
tea Sunday evening. I sat down in my room thinking 
that everything was quiet and promising myself a com- 
fortable night's sleep, when a messenger galloped up 
with a dispatch saying that the rebels had opened with a 
battery on our troops at Whitesburg, which you know is 
in my command. I immediately went down to post 
headquarters, sent couriers to Whitesburg with orders, 
and Avas making other dispositions to prevent the enemj' 
from crossing the Tennessee river there, when a man 
rushed into the office pale and almost breathless, an- 
nouncing that the rebels were near the city on the New 
Market road in heavy force, and that they were burning 
every combustible thing as they advanced. Looking in 
that direction, sure enough the flames of several burning 
buildings corroborated the story. 

"I immediately strengthened my picket lines and 
sent out scouts to ascertain what was there, gave direc- 
tions for the disposition of public property, assigned 
their positions to what few troops I had, went to the 
fort and made the necessary arrangements there, and 
returned to headquarters to await further developments. 

"In due time the scouts returned with the informa- 
tion that the force was only a raiding party of guerillas 
and citizens, who had burned some houses occupied by 
colored people connected with the contraband camp 
here^ — and the excitement was over. But all of this took 



OF THE CIVIL WAR 177 

from one until two o'clock in the morning. In the mean- 
time I received information that two gunboats had ar- 
rived at Whitesburg, so I went to bed feeling easy. 
There were no further demonstrations there. 

"The next evening (Monday) I felt sure that all 
was quiet ; when just as I was leaving the office to go to 
bed, a dispatch from the commanding officer at Larkins- 
ville came, saying that he was attacked. It turned out 
to be nothing serious, but to find out that, and to make 
preparations to meet it should it prove serious, took half 
the night. 

"Tuesday night we were moving some troops and 
had to wait for trains, so the Adjutant remained up all 
night and I got a good, undisturbed night's rest. Last 
night for the first time since the rebel army approached 
us we both slept all night. Yet, for all this, I keep per- 
fectly well. How long our quiet will last I can not even 
guess. Hood moved down the river from Decatur, but I 
have no idea where he is. We have had reports that he 
crossed the Tennessee river to the north side of Flor- 
ence, but these reports are not reliable. 

"Large numbers of troops have gone forward to 
Decatur and Athens within the last three days, and I 
feel quite confident that the tide of war has rolled by us 
once more without striking us. The General has given me 
more troops here on the river and on the railroad, and I 
am feeling quite stout. The non-veterans will leave in 
about a week for Nashville to be mustered out." 

"Nov. 6, 1864. — Since Hood has left our vicinity T 
do not have as much work on hand. We are having quiet 
times, just enough bushwhacking around us to make us 
remember that war is our business. 

"The health of our men is improving rapidly. Yes- 
terday morning we had a heavy frost, the first of the 
season. The weather is mild. There are about 160 non- 
veterans. They go north this week. 



178 REMINISCENCES 

"We do not know where Hood has gone, but there is 
a large force concentrated at Pulaski, ready tO' strike 
him if he demonstrates this side of the river. 

"Many of the best citizens pro%ss to be anxious to 
have me remain here in command at Huntsville. My 
opinion now is that I shall spend the winter in this 
vicinity, perhaps at Larkinsville. It is a mud hole, but 
a woman that has wintered at Fort Henry ought not to 
be afraid of a little mud, 

"I go up on Tuesday to vote with the regiment. Old 
Abe will be elected, but that will not end the war. We 
have to whip them and disperse their armies to do that. 
Our people North are deceiving themselves if they ex- 
pect the war to close on the strength of Lincoln's elec- 
tion. It will have its influence, no doubt, in that it satis- 
fies the people South that we are in earnest, but it will 
not rout and destroy armies. The hope of the country is 
the army and ballot box combined. Politics are good in 
their place, but 24-pounder howitzers are better to bring 
traitors and rebels to their allegiance." 

"Nov. 9, 1864. — I went up to the regiment yesterday 
and voted for Old Abe. I went as far as Larkinsville. 

"It looks less and less like leaving Huntsville, un- 
less we are driven out, which we do not expect at pres- 
ent. I expect the Major down tomorrow to take com- 
mand of the regiment. I have to work almost every 
minute of my time. 

"Dr. Evans is here. He has been appointed Medi- 
cal Director of this district and ordered to establish a 
general hospital here. I have taken a female seminary 
for that purpose, and the 'females' are very sweet on me, 
hoping to induce me to rescind the order and take some 
other building. It can not be done, though." 

"Nov. 13, 1864. — I have been to Stevenson, chang- 
ing troops on the railroad. Was out all Tuesday night 
and came back last night very tired, A ten-hours' sleep 



OF THE CIVIL WAK 179 

straightened me up, however, aud today I am as good as 
new. 

"I think things are sufficiently settled now for you 
to come here, and I have just forwarded an application 
tO' General Thomas for leave. If granted, I can get it to 
you soon after the first of December, and if we have any 
trouble at all this winter it will likely come before that 
time; but I fear that we shall fail to obtain the permis- 
sion. An application of the same kind made by the pilot 
of a gunboat to General Sherman has come back re- 
fused, with a statement that the General has prohibited 
women from coming south of Nashville. Yet the Chap- 
lain got permission for his wife to come and she arrived 
at the regiment yesterday. This permission came from 
General Thomas. I think I shall move into another 
house where there are furnished rooms and where we 
can have better kitchen accommodations. 

"I will tell you now what I have kept still about. I 
expected that Hood would cross the river and move in 
this direction, and I had orders from General Thomas 
what to do in case his army came here. I was ordered to 
fall back towards Stevenson, resist him at the streams, 
obstruct roads and retard his movements as much as pos- 
sible. I think that danger is pretty much passed, at 
least it will be by the time you get here. With such 
orders in my pocket, and while there was any prospect 
of an occasion arising for executing them, I knew that 
it would be folly to ask General Thomas to let you come. 

"I have taken the female college, a treasonable 
Methodist concern here, for a general hospital ; and 
have had several interesting sessions with the lady 
proprietors about it. Dr. Evans will move here in a few 
days to take charge of it. 

"I have had some nice presents lately. My chief 
scout gave me a gold watch, which he took from the dead 
body of a rebel Colonel killed by him in some fight be- 



180 REMINISCENCES 

fore Atlanta, An artist here, Mr. Fry, gave me a beau- 
tiful picture of General McPherson, worth |30, and the 
chief clerk of our post Q. M. gave me a gold pen," 

"Nov, 21, 1864. — We are about moving into another 
house, where we can have more room and much better 
kitchen accommodations, besides having the whole house 
for headquarters. We have contemplated this for some 
time, but have only just definitely decided to make the 
change, Mrs. Eice, my landlady, is very sick. Last 
evening she sent for me. I found her scarcely able to 
talk. She said she thought she might not recover and 
she wanted to thank me for all our kindness to her since 
we have been here. I was with her for half an hour, I 
hear she is a little better today. We have endeavored to 
annoy her as little as possible and have improved every 
opportunity to do her a kindness, in view of her louely 
and forlorn condition. For this she seems to be very 
grateful." 

"Nov. 25, 1864. — I sit down this morning to write 
you the last letter I expect to write from Huntsville for 
some time. We are evacuating this line. Decatur is al- 
ready abandoned, and when the troops from that place 
arrive here we shall take up our line of march for Ste- 
venson. We expect to leave about Sunday, I have been 
very hard at work ever since we got the order on Wed- 
nesday, 

"This course is rendered necessary by Hood's move- 
ment north, concerning which you are no doubt better 
posted than we are here. There is no enemy near us, 
and none is expected; and the evacuation is purely on 
the ground of military policy. 

"We march to Stevenson, and as we shall have no 
mail facilities until we get there you will not hear from 
me again as soon as usual. I send some money, |400, by 
Colonel Towne, a reliable man. Eighty dollars of this 
money belongs to . I got it from him because he 



OF THE CIVIL WAR 181 

is rather worthless and has a family of motherless chil- 
dren at Allen's Grove which he has neglected. The en- 
closed letters from the oldest girl explain their situation. 
This girl is onlj^ fourteen years old. The family must 
have the full benefit of this money, even though you have 
to go out there yourself to look after them. At any rate, 
send the girl some money. In this way you will help 
soften the sorrows caused by the war, and you thus help 
the cause for which we are fighting, a cause that grows 
dearer to me and more sacred every day. 

"The citizens here, loyal and disloyal, express much 
regret that we are to leave. Many of the loyal people, 
including hundreds of colored folks, are leaving or will 
leave with us. This evacuating is a terrible job. Fort 
Henry is not to be compared with it, and that you know 
was quite a task. 

"Business has been lively here today. There are sev- 
eral stores here, and this morning I removed all restric- 
tions from sales and dealers are selling at cost. I bought 
a pair of boots for ten dollars which would have cost |18 
or f 20 yesterday ; and everything else is going in propor- 
tion. The reason for this reduction is that it is doubtful 
whether they can get cars to take their goods away, and 
they would be cleaned out in two hours after we leave. 
A great many men are compelled to go and leave desti- 
tute families behind them. There will be none left who 
are liable to conscription, and but few who ever professed 
loyalty. I have seen a great deal of anguish and almost 
despair in the last two days, I assure you, and can do 
but little to alleviate it. I have often thought of you and 
our dear babes, and thanked God devoutly that you have 
not been called to these bitter experiences. I issue 
rations freely to these people, without authority and re- 
gardless of personal consequences ; but they are liable to 
be robbed of them as soon as we are gone. 

"There will be stirring times in Tennessee for a few 



182 REMINISCENCES 

weeks and our communications may be cut off, so if you 
do not get letters you will know the reason. Our brigade 
is ordered to garrison Stevenson, and whether the tide 
of battle is to surge that way time will determine. Di- 
rect your letters hereafter to Stevenson. We are all 
well. Minty is cooking for our march. Jerry says to tell 
Minerva that he is 'just tollable.' We will postpone for 
the present talking of your coming South this winter." 




OF THE CIVIL WAK 



183 




,tevenson, Ala., Dec. 4. 1864. — Here we 
are, safe and sound. We evacuated 
Hmitsville last Sunday morning, went 
to Brownsboro that night, to Paint- 
rock bridge Monday, to Larkinsville 
Tuesday, to Bellefonte Wednesday, to 
this vicinity on Thursday, and came 
in on Friday. We had pleasant weath- 
er for our trip, but we had an im- 
mense wagon train, the roads w^ere very bad a part of the 
way, and I found myself overworked. W^e were not pur- 
sued by any considerable force, but were bush-whacked 
considerably. 

"An immense crowd of refugees and contrabands 
followed us, not less, I think, than three thousand ; and 
there is much suffering amongst them, as they are all 
very destitute indeed. General Granger, who marched 
with us, did everything in his power to alleviate their 
sufferings, which act raised him in my estimation very 
much. This refugee crowd was bushwhacked the third 
day out and a terrible panic resulted. It is reported that 
a great many young children and infants were aban- 
doned by their mothers. This occurred amongst the 
contrabands. 

"Colonel Given is sick, Colonel Doolittle is North, 
and I am commanding the brigade until one or the other 
returns to duty ; then I go back to the regiment. There 
is now no communication with Nashville, and we have 
but little idea what is going on up there. 

"It will not do for you to come here now at all. The 
whole situation is too precarious and uncertain. Be- 
sides, we can get no accommodations. I have a little 
office for brigade headquarters, in which four of us sleep, 
and we mess along any way we can. I shall live in my 
tent when I return to the regiment. Our regiment can 



184 REMINISCENCES 

be very comfortable here, but a whole brigade can have 
but little accommodation." 

"Stevenson, Dec. 8, 1864. — I write to you at the 
usual time, although I am as completely isolated from 
you as I would be were I in the Fiji Islands. Communi- 
cation with Nashville is entirely cut off and we have no 
idea what is going on up there. You, I suppose, know all 
about it. The last we heard from there was that Hood 
was near Nashville. I expect to hear next that he has 
crossed the Cumberland and gone to Kentucky. 

"I am still in command of the brigade, but as soon 
as the road is open Colonel Doolittle will return and take 
command, when I shall go to the regiment once more I 
hope. We are hard at work building fortifications and 
getting ready for any rebel force that may stray off in 
this direction." 

"Stevenson, Ala., Dec. 11, 1864. — We are progi'ess- 
ing well with our fortifications. The weather is unusu- 
ally cold and there is considerable suffering amongst the 
refugees, and even the soldiers are none too comfortable. 
Whether we are to have any trouble here with the enemy 
is uncertain, but I am not looking for an attack. Yet it 
may come, and we are rapidly getting in that frame of 
mind that we do not care much if it comes or not. It 
costs a man weary days and weeks of anxiety, toil, and 
almost suffering, to do his duty to his country in these 
times. I have nothing of interest to write about and if 
I had this letter will probably be a month old before you 
get it." 

"Dec. 15, 1864. — It seems like folly to keep writing 
letters to you when they accumulate on my hands, yet 
they may be of some interest to you when you get them. 
When that will be I can not even guess. The blockade 
still continues, and except a very few vague and unre- 
liable rumors we know nothing of what is transpiring 
north of us. 



OF THE CIVIL WAR 185 

"Our life here is almost perfect stagnation now — 
nothing of interest going on. I have moved the regiment 
to better ground and nearer my headquarters, and I 
spend part of eaeh day there. Then I ride around and 
look at the 'fortifications, and visit the regiments of the 
brigade when the weather is pleasant, and thus manage 
to get through the day. Our fortifications are nearly 
complete, and Stevenson is very strong now. I appre- 
hend no attack, however. This uncertainty is wearing." 

"Dec. 18, 1864. — Some time or other you will get a 
batch of letters from me which I have written during our 
blockade. In them you will find a history of our move- 
ments for a month. 

"Well, tonight we got orders from General Thomas 
to go back and reoccupy the railroad to Decatur ; and to- 
morrow we expect to leave here for Iluntsville. We do 
not anticipate any resistance, and shall probably get 
there on Tuesday, as we go by railroad. 

"The rebels occupy Decatur in some force and we 
may have to go down and clean them out before we settle 
down anywhere. We get with the orders to move the 
news of the glorious victory over Hood, telegraphed to 
General Granger by General Whipple (Mrs. Sandford's 
brother), who is General Thomas' chief of staff. Hood 
is badly damaged and will probably be ruined before he 
can get his army off — but you already know all about 
this. You probably will not hear from me again for a 
week, as communications will be rather unsettled for 
awhile longer." 

"Huntsville, Ala., Dec. 25, 1864.— I write now with 
some little expectation that you will receive the letter 
within a reasonable time, for I hear that they have at 
last got a mail through to Stevenson for us, which should 
reach us tomorrow. 

"Monday morning General Granger ordered me to 
take the 13th, the cavalry and a battery and go to Hunts- 



186 REMINISCENCES 

ville and assume my old command. I commenced the 
movement Monday afternoon, the infantry and artillery 
moving by rail. We knew nothing about the situation of 
things here, so we advanced cautiously, the cavalry re- 
connoitering ahead of the train. We reoccupied the 
place on the 21st, the few Confederates here fleeing at our 
approach. It has not been strongly occupied during our 
absence, and we find things much as we left them. The 
people profess to be glad to see us back here, although I 
think the most of them lie about that. 

"We have taken a comfortable sort of a house for 
headquarters, partl^^ furnished; and when you hear that 
Hood's army, including Forrest, is across the Tennessee 
river and everything gives promise of a season of quiet 
on this side, if the winter is not too far advanced you 
may expect marching orders for this place, but not until 
the tide of war has rolled farther off. 

"The next day after we got here my cavalry had a 
severe fight just a few miles out of town with a part of 
Roddey's command, and we were victorious. The rebel 
loss was at least 100 in killed, wounded and prisoners. 
Our loss is quite light. We have now some 80 prisoners 
of war captured since we arrived in this vicinity, sev- 
eral of whom are from here. We smashed a new com- 
pany raised here during our absence. 

"General Granger moved down the river with the 
balance of his command to Decatur, but found the place 
so strongly occupied that he did not deem it prudent to 
attack. He returned with his fleet to Whitesburg, came 
up here and waited for General Steadman, who passed 
here on Saturday with a large force in that direction. 
General Granger left me in addition to the 13th, the T3d 
Indiana, and took the rest of his force down the river 
again to co-operate with Steadman in taking Decatur. 
Our force is so large there that the rebels will probably 
evacuate without a fight. We know nothing of Hood's 



OF THE CIVIL WAR 187 

army except that it was badly defeated before Nashville 
and is retreating towards the Tennessee river. He will 
get across badly damaged ; retreat as long as he is pur- 
sued; and then halt, reorganize, and in sixty or ninety 
days will have a force that will require another hard 
campaign to disperse." 

"Dec. 29, 1864. — We have finally got a mail through 
up tO' the 15th. Huntsville is rapidly resuming its old 
appearance, and the citizens generally profess to be 
pleased with our return. The rebels did but little mis- 
chief during our absence. 

"We know but little of army movements except 
those that pass under our immediate notice. I suppose 
Sherman is in Savannah, and I think the rebels are right 
when they say that the loss of that city is of but little 
consequence to them; but the destruction of their rail- 
roads on his march, and the capture of their cannon and 
locomotives by Sherman, is a serious disaster, almost ir- 
reparable. 

"Hood will lose half of his army, and the balance is 
powerless for mischief for many months. This is the 
worst blow the Confederacy has had, but it all avails but 
little towards closing the war so long as Lee sits defi- 
antl}^ in the gates of Eichmond. When that army is 
routed and destroyed, and not till then, can we begin to 
look for the war to close. 

"I am glad to see a call for 300,000 more men. They 
will be needed, for the term of enlistment of half the 
army expires next summer and fall." 

1865. 

"Huntsville, Ala., Jan. 2, 1865. — Company G, Lieut. 
Wagener commanding, was surprised and captured at 
Paintrock bridge on Saturday morning at about four 
o'clock, and the bridge was burned. Some of the men 



188 REMINISCENCES 

escaped. I think there are thirty to thirty-five missing. 
One man was wounded. The bridge will be rebuilt in a 
few days. The routine of duty here keeps both the Ad- 
jutant and myself quite busy all the time. 

"The rebels are across the river, and the campaign 
virtually over. There will now be a reorganization of 
the army, and where it will place us is more than I can 
tell. I presume when the next campaign opens we shall 
be in the field. I think we ought to be." 

"Huntsville, Ala., Fri., Jan. 6, 1865.— On Wednes- 
day I went up the river to where Paintrock bridge was 
burned by the rebels on the Saturday before, which used 
up the day. On my return I found the Fourth Army 
Corps, commanded by General Wood, coming here for 
the purpose of refitting for the next campaign. It is 
about 12,000 to 15,000 strong, and is encamped outside 
the city. Helping to get them settled, assigning quarters 
to officers, etc., is Avhat has kept me so busy. General 
Stanley is the permanent commander of this corps, but 
he was wounded at Franklin and is absent. I find Gen- 
eral Wood a very pleasant gentleman. The presence of 
the corps here does not affect my command at all. 

"Company G loses 37 men captured at Paintrock 
bridge. The bridge will be repaired tomorrow. 

"I think the army will soon be reorganized, and I 
feel as though they ought to let us go into the field in the 
next campaign. I am satisfied that the 13th would be 
better off today had it gone with Sherman last spring 
than it is now." 

"Huntsville, Ala., 11 o'clock p. m., Jan. 11, 1865. — I 
WTite at this late hour because I have had no time to do 
so before. I am constantly occupied, early and late, and 
it is with difficulty that I get time to write at all. In ad- 
dition to my other duties, the command of our brigade is 
thrown upon me again. Colonel Doolittle is commanding 



OF THE CIVIL WAR 189 

a brigade in the 23d Army Corps. This is Colonel Doo- 
little of the 18th Michigan. 

"Everything moves along nicely with me. Our town 
is full of Generals. Wood, Kemble, Beatty, Elliott, 
Granger, and others are here. My relations with them 
are very pleasant indeed. Granger and Elliott called 
upon me tonight. I knew the latter as Colonel of the 2d 
Iowa Cavalry, and went up the Tennessee river with him 
in April, 1862, to Pittsburg Landing. 

"I am about making an entire change of force on 
the railroad, and shall probably go to Stevenson in a day 
or two to superintend the necessary movements. I have 
received a reinforcemnt of two regiments, the 84th Il- 
linois and the 18th Michigan, to enable me to increase 
the strength of garrisons here and on the railroad. When 
Colonel Doolittle returns I shall be relieved of the com- 
mand of the brigade, and I hope of the post, so that I can 
devote my whole time to the railroad and river defenses." 



THE FIGHT WITH LYON AT SCOTTSBORO^ — BRAVERY OF THE 
COLORED TROOPS. 

{Letter from Colonel Lyon to the NasJiville Union.) 

Huntsville, Ala., Jan. 14, 1865. 
"A fight took place at Scottsboro, twenty miles west 
of Stevenson, on the evening of the 8th inst., between the 
forces of the rebel General Lyon and the garrison at that 
place, consisting of detachments from Company E, 101st 
U. S. C. T., and from Company E, 110th U. S. C. T., the 
former commanded by Lieutenant John H. Hull, and the 
latter by Lieutenant David Smart, the whole under com- 
mand of Lieutenant Hull. This affair deserves more 
publicity than it will get through the ordinary medium 



190 EEMINISCENCES 

of an official report, as it helps settle the oft repeated 
question, 'Will the negro fight?' 

"Lieutenant Hull's command numbered fifty-three 
muskets in all, but eleven of his men were on outpost 
duty at the water tanks over one mile west of the depot, 
in which the balance of the command, forty-two strong, 
was stationed. Here the little garrison was attacked by 
the whole force of the rebel General, reinforced by sev- 
eral guerrilla companies that infest that region, and 
numbering from 800 to 1,000 men, with two twelve- 
pounder howitzers. 

"After skirmishing with the enemy and holding him 
in check for some time, the garrison was driven into the 
depot, upon which three determined charges were made, 
each one of which was repulsed with severe loss to the 
enemy. The rebels then withdrew beyond musket range 
and opened upon the depot with their artillery ; but the 
garrison remained in it until it had been struck with 
four shells, three of which exploded in the building. 
Lieutenant Hull then withdrew his command to a moun- 
tain four hundred and fifty yards distant, cutting his 
way through the ranks of the rebels, who attempted to 
intercept his progress, in a hand-to-hand fight. One 
rebel seized the Lieutenant by the collar, but was in- 
stantly killed by him. The pursuit was short. The 
rebels had been too severely handled to approach within 
reach of the muskets of these dusky warriors ; and, after 
firing a few random shots with their artillery into the 
mountain, they left for the Tennessee river. Their loss 
was one Colonel and seventeen men killed, and forty or 
fifty wounded. Ours was six wounded. 

"The men on duty at the water tank were captured, 
but before reaching the river they stampeded, at great 
personal peril, and all of them escaped and are now with 
their commands. 



OF THE CIVIL WAR 191 

"There were some interesting incidents that took 
place during the engagement, worthy to be mentioned, 

"After the men had been driven into the depot, Lieu- 
tenant Hull went out upon the platform to reconnoitre. 
The enemy's bullets were flying thickly around him when 
he discovered his orderly sergeant, a colored man, ap- 
proaching him. The Lieutenant ordered him back into 
the building. 'I wish to speak to you,' said the ser- 
geant. 'Very well,' replied the Lieutenant, 'speak 
quickly'. 'The men don't want to surrender,' continued 
the sergeant. The response from the Lieutenant was, 
'Go back and tell them that while a man of us lives there 
will be no surrender'. 

"The sergeant delivered this message, and a wild 
shout of joy went up from the beleaguered garrison — a 
shout that assured their gallant commander that there 
would be no faltering on the part of his men in the 
deadly conflict which was rapidly thickening around 
them. 

"Another incident. A colored sergeant named An- 
derson had his leg torn off by the explosion of one of the 
shells^ — and afterwards loaded and fired his musket three 
times ! This brave soldier has since died of his wounds. 

"It is worthy of mention that these soldiers were 
mostly new recruits, and had never before been in action, 
and a majority of them had not even been mustered. 

"The whole affair lasted some three hours, and to 
give an idea of the desperate character of the fighting I 
will mention that in one at least of the assaults the rebels 
came so close to the building that they seized the guns 
of our men as they were projected through the loopholes 
in the brick walls of the depot and attempted to wrench 
them from the grasp of those inside. 

"Lieutenant Hull, a resident of Ripley County, In- 
diana, was formerly an enlisted man of the 83d Indiana, 
and is a brother, I am informed, of the gallant Colonel 



192 REMINISCENCES 

Hull, of the STth Indiana, whose name is so familiar in 
the Army of the Cumberland. 

"I am not acquainted with the history of Lieutenant 
Smart, but it is just to add that Lieutenant Hull. speaks 
in terms of the highest praise of his courage and ef- 
ficiency in the contest. 

Eespectfully yours, 

Wm. p. Lyon, 
"Col. 13th Wis. V. I., Comd'g." 

"Huntsville, Ala., Sun. Eve., Jan. 15, 1865. — Sun- 
day brings me but little respite from labor, and it is late 
in the evening before I can find time to write to you my 
usual Sunday letter. 

"I returned last evening from a trip of two days up 
the railroad. My principal business was to post and re- 
arrange the troops along the line. I was on the cars all 
night Friday night, and of course I came home pretty 
well tired out. Captain Stevens of the 18th Michigan, 
Brigade Inspector, went with me. I went to Stevenson. 

"We have quite a family now, the Brigade Staff 
being with me, three officers and three or four clerks and 
orderlies. This will only last, however, until Colonel 
Doolittle's return. We expect him every day. 

"I have just received the commissions for the new 
officers. They are Kummel, Lieut. -Colonel ; Cobb, Cap- 
tain ; Auld, 1st Lieut, and Gibbs, 2d Lieut., Co. A. Hall, 
Captain, and Chenej^, 1st Lieut., Co. B. Fish, Captain ; 
Bardwell, 1st Lieut. ; Loucks, 2d Lieut., Co. C. Patch- 
in, 1st Lieut., Co. D. Briggs, 1st Lieut., Co. F. Pratt, 
1st Lieut., and Beckwith, 2d Lieut., Co. H. Wemple, 
Captain, and Hollister, 1st Lieut., Co. K. The rest 
are the old officers. Captain Randall writes me that 
under a late order he is entitled to be mustered out of 
the service and is going out. He veteranized, you know. 
If there is such an order I think Captains Blake and 



OF THE CIVIL WAR 193 

Noyes, Lieutenant Balis, perhaps the Quartermaster 
and Dr. Evans, will go out, which will give a chance for 
more promotions. I intend to make Matson a Lieuten- 
ant in Company G, unless the Quartermaster goes out, 
in which case I shall probably give him that position." 

"Huntsville, Ala., Sun., Jan. 22, 1865.— I was up 
the railroad looking after matters there last week and 
returned here last evening. We are just commencing to 
build block houses for the defense of the road. We make 
them artillery proof and it requires a great deal of work 
to build them. I pay more attention to this part of my 
command than to any other. 

"A new order lets out all of our offtcers who have 
served three years consecutively in any one grade. Un- 
der it Blake, Hewitt, Randall, Balis and Wemple go out. 
They are all mustered out except Balis, who leaves to- 
morrow. Captain Kummel was here a few days ago and 
mustered in as Lieut.-Colonel. 

"I have just received an order to go to Nashville as 
a witness for the defense in the case of Colonel Ander- 
son, of the 12th Indiana Cavalry, who is on trial for 
ordering a young man, who was probably a guerilla, to 
be shot last summer at Brownsboro. I shall probably 
start on Tuesday morning and shall be absent about six 
days. I will write you from there. 

"Everything moves quietly and comfortably here. 
The presence of an army gives a feeling of security to 
which I have been a stranger for many months." 

"Huntsville, Ala., Wed. Eve., Jan. 25, 1865.— I did 
not get ready to start for Nashville until this morning, 
and as the train was detained by the breaking down of a 
bridge near Brownsboro, I postponed until tomorrow 
morning. I leave at 6:30, and as the weather is now 
quite cold for this country I am not much delighted 
with the idea of turning out before daylight and then 



194 REMINISCENCES 

riding in a caboose or box car. There is no change in my 
command or in the situation of affairs here." 

"Huntsville, Ala., Feb. 3, 1865. — I returned from 
Nashville last evening. Our stay here is uncertain. A 
good many movements and changes are taking place, 
and no one can tell how soon our turn will come to be 
sent to some other field of labor. One division of the 4th 
Corps has just gone from here to Eastport, and I learn 
that another division is ordered in the direction of Knox- 
ville. It is possible and quite probable that the remain- 
ing division of that corps may be kept on duty here and 
in this vicinity, in which case we should be sent to some 
other place. 

"If I do not go out of the service next fall, I will 
try to get a leave of absence next summer and visit you. 
I can be mustered out September 26th next, but you 
know I made some promises to the regiment to remain 
with them. 

"When I got back I found that the Adjutant had 
moved headquarters. We have full as good a place as 
before. I wrote you from Nashville that Colonel Doo- 
little had returned and taken command of the post. I 
have my old railroad command, which gives me enou^gh 
to do without crowding me. I am very pleasantly situ- 
ated indeed, if it only lasts. The evidence that I have 
more leisure is the fact that I write longer letters. This 
soldiering is rather uncertain business. 

"I was handsomely entertained while in Nashville 
by Major Bigney, and had a pleasant time. Nashville 
and Edgefield look much as usual; about the same 
amount of army wagons, mud, mules and shoulder 
straps as there was last winter." 

"Huntsville, Ala., Sun., Feb. 5, 1865.— I have not 
been more pleasantly situated since I have been in the 
army. I have just enough to do to prevent time from 
passing heavily, without being at all crowded. Then I 



OF THE CIVIL WAR 195 

have good quarters, a pleasant command, and business 
which suits me. The same doubt and uncertainty hang 
over our future movements that have kept me from send- 
ing for you. Colonel Doolittle, of the 18th Michigan, is 
making a strong effort to get his regiment in the 4th 
Army Corps. If he succeeds it may throw me in com- 
mand of this post again, a position that is an unmiti- 
gated nuisance to any one, and which I am anxious to 
keep out of." 

"Huntsville, Ala., Wed., Feb. 8, 1865.— The division 
of the 4th Army Corps that left here some days since has 
returned, and we found it necessary this morning to give 
up our headquarters, and it has taken us all day to find 
another place. Everything in the shape of a house here 
is full to overflowing, and I think we shall not be as 
comfortably situated hereafter. I have not seen the 
house assigned to us. Moulton and his wife are to live 
with us. She is to oversee the mess affairs and try to 
stop some leaks through which we are satisfied large 
amounts of rations are lost. Ultimately she will prob- 
ably do our cooking and we will get rid of our negro 
help. Our expenses are so heavy that the Adjutant and 
I both thought on consultation that this experiment was 
worth trying. 

"Everything seems to indicate a radical change in 
our affairs here very soon, either of commanders or lo- 
cation, and perhaps both. I do not think we shall re- 
main in Huntsville long, but where we shall go I have 
not the least idea. We received 98 new recruits from 
Wisconsin last evening. Captain Kingman is home on 
leave of absence and will probably call on you while 
thera" 

"Huntsville, Ala., Sun., Feb. 12, 1865.— We have 
gotten settled and are very comfortable again. We live 
much better and I think cheaper since we got Mrs. Moul- 
ton. We discharged Minty, and by so doing stopped 



196 REMINISCENCES 

some leaks. She is a good, faithful woman, but has a 
lazy, good-for-nothing husband, who was a perfect nui- 
sance to us; and we could not get rid of him without 
letting her go, too. 

"Companies C and G started for Claysville yester- 
day, but Moulton remains here on duty at our headquar- 
ters. The Adjutant has a brother here in business who 
lives with us. He served three years in an Illinois regi- 
ment as a private. I have taken a long ride today 
through the camps of the 4th Army Corps, visiting the 
24th Wisconsin." 

"Huntsville, Ala., Wed., Feb. 18, 1865.— I find my- 
self very busy again. Colonel Doolittle left for Nash- 
ville this morning, and I have to command the post dur- 
ing his absence, which will be several days. General 
Granger expects to go North in a few days on leave of 
absence. 

"We live quite in the suburbs of the town, some 
little distance from where the rest of the officers are 
quartered. I see Major-General Stanley sometimes, and 
my relations with him are very pleasant. He remem- 
bered me as having served in his command at Corinth. 

"An old lady here, a Mrs. Rogers, one of the P. F. 
V.'s, has just returned from Washington, where she 
went to try and get her grandson, who is a rebel pris- 
oner, paroled. I gave her a letter of introduction to 
Senator Doolittle, who has treated her with great kind- 
ness and said many nice things to her about me. She 
thinks I have more influence than any of the Generals in 
the department, and I hear of her talking about it every- 
where. It quite sets me up." 

"Huntsville, Ala., Sun., Feb. 19, 1865.— Colonel 
Doolittle has been promoted to a Brigadier, and this will 
probably lead to some change in my duties. If he is as- 
signed to some other command, which is quite probable, 
I will be apt to stay here, permanent commander of the 



OF THE CIVIL WAR 197 

post. In that case, I think I will try to get the railroad 
defenses off my hands. All this is on the supposition 
that our command remains here, which is by no means a 
settled point yet. 

"I ride a little brown mare. She is a perfect 
little beauty. She would suit you, for she is kind and 
gentle as a lamb. 

"I frequently see General Stanley, and I hear of his 
saying complimentary things of me. Do you think that 
if I leave the service next fall I could make a living for 
us in Racine? I sometimes have my doubts about it. If 
the war was over I think I could make a living here, and 
a good deal more. There is a splendid opening here for 
a few good Northern lawyers. Now do not think that I 
am contemplating moving here, for I make no such cal- 
culations, at least not yet. 

"Lieut-Colonel Kummel writes us that a fragment 
of the 15th Wisconsin, Colonel Heg's old regiment, some 
sixty in number, has been assigned at their own request 
to the 13th. They have not yet joined us. 

"It seems almost strange to me to live as I now do 
week after week and not expect an attack; yet up the 
railroad my men have fights with the guerillas quite 
frequently. These are usually small affairs, however." 

"Huntsville, Ala., Thurs., Feb. 23, 1865.— General 
Granger is going North on leave of absence, and General 
Doolittle takes command of the district in his place. It 
looks so much like our remaining here for some time that 
I am tempted to give you marching orders for Hunts- 
ville. Indeed, I sent to Nashville two days since for a 
pass for you and Minerva, and hope that by the time I 
get it, which will doubtless be in a few days, I will see 
my way clear to tell you to come. Captain Kingman is in 
Wisconsin, and if you can get ready to come back with 
him it will be convenient for you. Should the permit be 
refused, I shall take it as an indication that we are not 



198 REMINISCENCES 

to remain here. I do not dare to have you bring either 
of the children, much as I would like to have them with 
us. 

"The men from the 15th Wisconsin ( Colonel Heg's 
regiment) reached us last night. I learn that there are 
some sixty of them. Dr. Cady, our new Assistant Sur- 
geon, has arrived. He lives at Kibbourn City. He used 
to practice at Canaan Four Corners, Columbia County, 
N. Y. He knows lots of people that I used to know. I 
like him." 

"Huntsville, Ala., Feb. 26, 1865.— I took command 
of the post and brigade again yesterday. General Doo- 
little has take;i command of the district. So I have 
plenty of work on my hands again and am likely to have 
for some time to come. I am getting my heart so set on 
your coming that I begin to feel almost nervous for fear 
that we shall be ordered away." 

"Huntsville, Ala., March 2, 1865.— I write this 
morning in the office, surrounded by a crowd of officers, 
therefore can write but little. I do not hear a word from 
my application for leave for you to visit me. The failure 
to answer is equivalent to a refusal, and I fear that we 
must give it up. There may be a good reason, but I do 
not believe it, yet we are compelled in this service to en- 
dure a good many annoying and humiliating things. 

"I see the people North are in high spirits over the 
evacuation of Charleston and Wilmington, etc. I am 
entirely unable to see the importance of these evacua- 
tions to us. I can not see that these movements will have 
much influence in closing the war. We must crush and 
destroy their armies before the war will end, and we are 
making but little headway in that direction in the East. 
But we must be patient, and if there is another year of 
heavy fighting we must not be surprised or disheartened. 
We are bound to conquer in the end." 



OF THE CIVIL WAR 199 

"Huntsville, Ala., March 5, 1865. — I hope the war is 
drawing to a close; I believe it is. One victory like 
Thomas' over Hood is worth more to our cause, does 
more to put down the rebellion, than the evacuation of 
twenty cities. It uses up their armies, while the evacua- 
tion of these places concentrates their armies and makes 
them actually stronger. The war will continue until we 
succeed in dispersing and breaking up their armies. I 
hope, and almost believe, that Grant and Sherman will 
do this in the East, as Thomas has in the West ; but the 
people must be patient. It can not be done in a day or a 
month. 

"The most hopeful sign of the times is the activity 
North in raising troops. I am glad that the Governor 
gave George Ginty a regiment. He is worthy and cap- 
able. I rejoice at his success. I hear that he is ordered 
to Nashville, and shall be pleased to get him down this 
way ; but the new regiments are being sent towards Chat- 
tanooga and Knoxville, and very likely Colonel Ginty's 
will go in the same direction." 

"Huntsville, Ala., March 8, 1865. — We are in fine 
spirits today, for we have just heard that Sheridan has 
cleaned out Early in the Shenandoah valley, capturing 
him and nearly his whole army. We all believe this and 
rejoice, for it is by such blows as these, and these only, 
that this war will be ended. 

"I attended a review of the 1th Corps yesterday. 
There were 6,000 or 7,000 troops in line and they made 
a fine appearance. There are no signs of any movement 
of troops here yet. About 20,000 lie around here doing 
little or nothing," 

"Huntsville, Ala., Sun., March 12, 1865.— The rail- 
road is again repaired, and the first train came through 
from Nashville last night. I found out yesterday why 
everything has worked against your coming here. I re- 
ceived an order assigning the 13th Regiment to the 4th 



200 REMINISCENCES 

Army Corps, and this corps commences moving tomor- 
row for East Tennessee, probably Knoxville. No troops 
have come on yet to take our place, and it may be some 
days before we are relieved. At the same time I received 
a permit for you to come to Huntsville. I am rather 
pleased to get out of this than otherwise. It is time the 
regiment moved and had more active duty; and it is 
more creditable to serve in an army in the field than 
back in the rear. I am satisfied that I should have lost 
less men had we gone with Sherman last spring than 
we have lost by reason of malaria. Beside, if but a small 
force is left back here, they will be annoyed with raids 
all summer, and will be in more real peril than we shall 
be in at the front. I do not see much of a fighting pros- 
pect ahead. 

"The activity in volunteering at the North is the 
most hopeful sign of the times. We shall be able to con- 
front the rebels everywhere with superior numbers, 
which will soon, I trust, finish the war. 

"In my next I will send the permit. I do not send it 
now, fearing you would be the more disappointed when 
you read this letter. 

"The guerillas fired on the train last night between 
here and Stevenson, killing a soldier and wounding the 
engineer severely. The guard drove them away. I shall 
have command of a brigade in the 4th Army Corps, I am 
told." 

"Huntsville, Ala., Wed., March 15, 1865. We are 
still here, but expect to get off on Friday or Saturday. 
I have been relieved of all of my commands, but the regi- 
ment is not yet relieved. We expect the troops tomor- 
row to take our place. It will be some new regiment. 

"The 46th Wisconsin, Colonel Lovell, of Kenosha, 
passed here yesterday for Athens. Colonel Ginty's regi- 
ment, I hear, is at Tullahoma. The movement of the 4th 
Corps is progressing. One advantage in going to the field 



OF THE CIVIL WAR 201 

is that my exi)enses will be less. I have to keep up a 
General's headquarters with a Colonel's pay." 



During the first of March Captain Kingman was 
home on leave of absence. Before leaving for the South 
he came to Racine to call upon me. I was expecting a 
passport in every letter, and was ready to start for the 
South any day that it should come. I decided to go 
South with Captain Kingman, for I felt that I could go 
as far South as Nashville, and thought that if I could g^ 
no further Mr. Lyon could no doubt come to Nashville 
to see me. 

I left for the South on the 13th of March, with Cap- 
tain Kingman and Minerva. We left Chicago at 9 p. m., 
on the 16th, riding all night. We reached Cairo at 8 
o'clock the next evening, just in time to take the boat. 
The packet Armada was just ready to start, so we went 
on board immediately, considering ourselves very fortu- 
nate, for there were some ladies there who had been wait- 
ing three days for the boat. 

MRS. LYON'S DIARY. 

March 15, 1865. — The boat is tied up to a tree on 
the Cumberland river. The wind is so high they dare not 
run for fear of running into the woods, for the banks are 
all under water. The river has not been so high in fif- 
teen years. The water is up to the chamber windows of 
all the houses along the shore. Yesterday one of the 
houses was floating in the river and some men took a 
boat and went out to it. They found in it the bodies of a 
man and woman and five children. I presume we shall 
hear of more such cases. We have seen a number of 
horses and cattle floating down the river, all dead. 



202 REMINISCENCES 

March 16, 1865.— The boat was tied up all night. I 
wonder if it will be tonight. We rode all day. We 
thought we saw the body of a man in the driftwood to- 
day. We still pass lots of cattle floating in the river. 

March 17, 1865. — The boat was tied up again last 
night. We have gone very slowly today, for we go 
against a strong tide. We arrived at Nashville after 
dark. 

"March 18, 1865. — I am very tired, for I have not 
slept much on the boat. I have had no trouble, have not 
needed any passes, nor has it cost me anything yet ex- 
cepting porter's fees. At Smithland we changed boats. 
Here we took the Cumberland river. We went on the 
Superior, whose business it is to transfer troops. The 
44th Wisconsin was on this steamer. I was the only 
woman (except Minerva) on the steamer, and felt con- 
siderably out of place. 

As soon as we reached Nashville I went to a hotel, 
ordered a room and went to bed. I wrapped myself in 
my shawl and got into the dirty sheets. There was so 
much noise in the house that I could not get to sleep 
until late. I then heard a mouse nibbling at my lunch, 
which was on the table at the head of the bed. Then the 
bugs would bite me. I would get almost asleep, when 
the mouse would nibble again, and so on until morning. 

Sunday, March 19, 1865. — Ira Button came up this 
morning from Huntsville, but did not know that we 
were here. He told me that our regiment is assigned to 
the 4th Army Corps and is ordered to Knoxville. They 
would have started today but there was no regiment to 
take their place. I shall go on to Huntsville, and if they 
will take me will go on to Knoxville with them. If I can 
go I can see more of the country than I expected to. 

Now I have had some more good luck. Ira just 
brought General Granger aide-de-camp and introduced 
him to me. He tells me that General Granger and wife 



OF THE CIVIL WAK 203 

are going this afternoon to Huntsville on a special train. 
Major Bigney told him that I wanted to go to Hunts- 
ville. After making a short call he left, but soon re- 
turned with a note from General Granger inviting me to 
accompany them this afternoon. I very gladly accepted 
the in^dtation. The railroad is now repaired from here 
to Stevenson, and by going with them I shall go through 
without waiting at Stevenson, as I had expected to do. 
Ira asked me if he should send a telegram to the Colonel, 
but I told him no,that I wanted to surprise him. 

March 20, 1865.— I started for Huntsville with 
Minerva at 2 p. m. Mrs. Granger "ind her sister were 
with the General. I had met him before. I found both 
ladies very agreeable. We had quite a jolly night of it. 
Our sleeper was a caboose, and our easy chairs were 
cracker boxes. There were two chairs in the car, which 
we occupied alternately. Of course, we had to do some- 
thing to keep awake, as we could not lie down. I thought 
the "General's special car would have a few more con- 
veniences. He apologized for the accommodations, but 
I was glad enough to go if the accommodations were 
poor. The road was very rough. It has not been bal- 
asted since it was repaired, and this is the first train that 
has been over it 

Huntsville, March 21, 1865. — We arrived here 
safely, notwithstanding all the dangers we have escaped. 
Whenever we would get sleepy, some of the officers would 
tell of some escape or of the trains being fired into. Ours 
was a wild train and would not be expected ; therefore 
the General thought it was in no danger of being fired 
into. When we reached here a beautiful barouche met 
them at the cars. The General kindly invited me to ride 
with them, and Minerva rode with the driver. He took 
the ladies to the hotel and then took us to William's 
headquarters. I went in and found Mrs. Moulton. Wil- 
liam had gone down town. 



204 REMINISCENCES 

We reached here about nine o'clock in the morning. 
They did not expect William back until dinner, so I had 
a good rest before he got here. When he got back he 
came up to the room, not expecting to see any one, and 
was very much surprised to find me here. The first thing 
he said was, "I have just written for you not to come 
here. We are ordered away and go in a day or two." 
But he forgave me, however, for coming. Mrs. Moulton 
said she would not have been more pleased to see her own 
sister than to see me. 

Jerry also had a great surprise. Mrs. Moulton sent 
him for something into another room where Minerva 
was sitting. We were on hand to hear what he would 
say, and when he saw her he stood perfectly still with 
his mouth wide open and his big eyes bunged out, star- 
ing at her. She said, "Why, Jerry ! Ain't you glad to 
see me?" He said, "Sartain, sure, I thought it was your 
ghost until you spoke." 

March 22, 1865. — There is a railroad as far as Knox- 
ville, and William wishes me to go with him ; and if the 
regiment should be ordered farther, I can return from 
there at any time; and since I am here he wants me to 
see all of the South that I can. The band came last night 
and serenaded us. They play beautifully now. They 
have improved very much. They always come and 
serenade me as soon as they know I have come to camp. 

Huntsville, March 24, 1865. — William and I went to 
see the city. It is a beautiful city, the pride of the South. 
It is beautifully situated. There are a great many very 
handsome homes here, and every appearance of luxuri- 
ous living. The colored quarters are all separate from 
the main house. A great many residents have left their 
homes and left their houses filled with furniture, carpets 
and everything, just as they were living here. William 
has taken the Academy again for a hospital. The citi- 
zens do not like it, but there seems to be no other place. 



OF THE CIVIL WAR 205 

We liave orders to start for East Tennessee in the morn- 
ing. 

March 25, 1865. — We started this morning at nine 
o'clock. The train ran off the track six miles out and 
had to stay there seven hours. I saw the hills on which 
the rebels had guns planted and often fired at the trains, 
especially if they were transporting soldiers. We ar- 
rived at Stevenson safely. 

March 26, 1865. — Went through Chattanooga and 
the mountains today. Saw Lookout Mountain, where 
General Hooker fought and bled above the clouds. The 
scenery here is very grand. We saw Mission Ridge also. 
The city is built in the valley near Lookout Mountain. 
We had our dinner here. The boys built fires and made 
coffee in a few minutes. We had hard tack and coffee 
and a little cold meat. 

Near Loudon we were going through a ledge of rocks 
that extends out over the Tennessee river, when an axle 
broke and two or three of the cars were wrecked. They 
were smashed into pieces as small as kindling wood. 
The engine and tender, and I think some baggage cars, 
went through this ledge of rocks all right. The cars 
loaded with supplies were broken up the most. A car 
that the mules w ere in stood on one end and the poor ani- 
mals were jammed into the lower end of the car. The reg- 
iment were riding on the top of the cars, and when they 
saw there was something the matter they turned the 
brakes and ran to both ends of the train and there was 
not a man hurt. Their thoughtfulness in turning the 
brakes saved the rest of the train. The caboose that we 
were in just hung over the river. It was a miraculous 
escape. They thought that some of the mules would be 
dead, but they chopped the car open as soon as they 
could, to get them out. As they got them out they would 
shake themselves and walk off. Some limped, but none 



206 REMINISCENCES 

were killed. We went back to Loudon and stayed until 
the track was repaired. 

March 27. — We took the train yesterday towards 
night, the road having been repaired. Today we got to 
Knoxville. We found orders that they were to guard 
and conduct a train of ambulances across the country, 
and the men were to march. I expected to go back from 
Knoxville, but William says that I shall not go home, 
but go as far as they go with the train, for there is plenty 
of ambulance room. We went ten miles on a fearful 
road over the mountains. 

March 28, 1865. — We started this morning at six 
o'clock. We went over the mountains, and forded the 
rivers. There is only a track for one horse, and we are 
traveling with six mules. The people here all ride 
horseback and have no use for roads. I have been very 
nervous all day. We went through places where there 
is no road, and it seemed impossible to get through. But 
we did, however, get through to New Market about five 
o'clock. We came through Strawberry Plains. Had our 
dinner there, coffee and hard crackers again. 

The 4th Army Corps makes a large army. They put 
up the tent and we ate our supper and thought we should 
be there for some time. We fixed up our bed as well as 
we could and I went to bed. This was my first experi- 
ence in sleeping on the ground. William and the Adju- 
tant sent over to town and found that they were ordered 
to go to Bull's Gap at six o'clock tomorrow morning. In 
coming from town they rode over an opossum. The 
darkies were much pleased to get it. They sat up nearly 
all night in order to have it for breakfast. 

Now we have gotten to the end of the railroad and 
we women must go back to Knoxville. The Adjutant 
goes with us. William left him to take care of us. We 
had to get up early to get packed again to move. 

March 29, 1865. — After the march of yesterday it 



OF THE CIVIL WAR 207 

took some courage to get started. The Adjutant and 
Jerry went with us. The Adjutant went to town for a 
conveyance for us, and we had to say good-bye to our 
husbands. The Adjutant found a mule team and double 
wagon, and we all got in with our traps and went to the 
depot. We waited there for the train, but it did not 
come on time. After a while we learned that it had run 
through a bridge and would not be in for several days. 
The Adjutant then found a place in town where we 
might stay a few days. We are making ourselves as com- 
fortable as we can. We are staying with a Union family 
who are Quakers. 

New Market, March 30. — Cool and rainy. We find 
these people very friendly. They are very glad to ac- 
commodate us. Mrs. Pierce showed us a room in the 
center of the house that they built on purpose to protect 
her husband and boys when they come home. Mr. Pierce 
is home now. He is not well, and the rebels let him 
alone, but they are bent on getting the boys, because 
they are Union boys. 

Our life is very monotonous. It seems too bad to 
stay here when the regiment is so near, only about thirty- 
five miles from here. Mrs. Moultou and I took a long 
walk over the hills. It is a very pretty country. A little 
^irl brought me a nice bouquet because we are Union 
people; but this family are very careful about talking, 
for fear of being heard. They shut the doors if they 
want to talk. 

April 2. — Mr. and Mrs. Pierce, Mr. and Mrs. Moul- 
ton and I went to the cemetery. Mr. Pierce is a very 
strong Union man. When we got there he was not 
afraid to express himself. He would like to get away 
from here. 

The Adjutant went yesterday to Bull's Gap to help 
with the month's report. He has returned today. Wil- 
liam sent for me to go up there to see him again. They 



208 EEMINISOENCES 

do not know how long they may stay there, Mrs. Moul- 
ton and Minerva will have to go on a wagon with the 
trunks. They have made up a train with a pony engine 
and one box car, and that is all there is to use this side 
of the break in the road. They are not willing to take 
passengers, but decided that they would take the Adju- 
tant and me. 

April 3. — We were nearly all day on the road. Had 
dinner on the cars, what the men had provided for them- 
selves, about like a soldier's dinner, something to keep 
the stomach from getting empty. William met us at 
the depot. We walked to the camp. They have selected 
a very pleasant spot about half a mile from the depot, 
and all the way up hill. I was so glad to get there. 

Bull's Gap, April 4. — I expect we shall stay here 
some time, they are so nicely situated. The whole 4th 
Corps makes a fine show in camp. W^e shall settle down 
now and have a nice visit after all. 

Later. — We have just had orders to march to Green- 
ville at six o'clock in the morning. What a long rest! 

April 5. — We maiched through to Greenville, 19 
miles. I was the only lady from the 13th. We started 
off behind balky mules. They ran down every hill, and 
would not go up the hills. They finallj^ ran off a bridge 
at the bottom of a hill. Colonel McConnell came to my 
rescue and I then rode with Mrs. Moody in a pleasant 
ambulance with the 2d Division. Got to camp and put 
up the tent to stay. We think we will get a good rest 
here. 



COLONEL LYON'S LETTERS. 

"March 19, 1865. — I was awakened about ten o'clock 
last night by one of the boys, who told me I had a tele- 
gram from home but there was no bad news in it. It was 



OF THE CIVIL WAR 209 

from Janesville, announcing my nomination as Circuit 
Judge. I am entirely in the dark about the position of 
affairs there, but if matters are as I suppose I see no 
earthly chance for my election. I concluded, however, 
that a defeat would not hurt me much and so accepted 
the nomination. It is tantalizing to be a candidate for 
so important a place and know nothing of your position 
or prospects. The time is so short between the nomina- 
tion and the date of election that I shall probably lose 
most of the army vote. I shall not be unhappy about it 
if I am defeated, and you must not be." 

WRITTEN AT GREENVILLE. 

"We made a long march and reached here, 75 miles 
above Knoxville, last evening. We have orders to move 
on to Jonesboro, 35 miles further. Adelia travels in an 
ambulance, and we are well and happy. 

"The 13th did not vote. I know that I am beaten 
and I did not care to swell my vote with that of my own 
regiment. They would all have voted for me. I have 
never expected for a moment to be elected. I suppose I 
am defeated by at least 5,000. I know that some of my 
best friends were committed to Judge Noggle long before 
I was nominated, and could not do otherwise than sup- 
port him. 

"Everybody is in good spirits over the news from 
Richmond." 



MRS. LYON'S diary. 



Greenville, April 6, 1865. — There seems to be no rest 
for us. Yesterday we were indulging in the hope of 
staying here for some time and had quite a settled feel- 
ing. If I had not been tired I would have unpacked my 



210 REMINISCENCES 

trunks, but I was fortunate in not doing so. We are 
again ordered to march to Jonesboro, 35 miles farther. I 
shall have to go behind the mules again. 

We started. The mules ran down the hill as usual, 
and when we were three miles out we broke an axle. I 
then rode in an ambulance for ten miles, seated with 
the driver. Stayed here all night. Some of the boys 
march right along with us over these mountains to keep 
the ambulance from turning over, the road is so steep 
and sidling. I had much rather march than to ride in 
this way, but they will not allow me to for fear I will get 
sick; and then we have to ford so many rivers, when I 
have to be in the carriage. I sometimes think we never 
can get up and down the bank ; but I find it much better 
sitting with the driver. Since we have been on this 
march some of the men run on ahead of the regiment, 
when we are to stop over night, and gather hay or straw, 
or get pine boughs for me to sleep on. They do not seem 
to think that I am in the way at all. They have shown 
me so much kindness in preparing something for me to 
sleep on, I shall never forget it. 

Jonesboro, April 7. — The General sent his ambu- 
lance for me to ride in this morning. I am very glad, I 
shall be much more comfortable. He apologized for not 
doing it before. He said he thought I had been provided 
for more comfortably, and that he would see that I was 
supplied with all the comforts he could command. 

We came through very comfortably, and have found 
a good, large house to live in. We have the parlor, and 
a large room with a good bed, where we can rest very 
well. 

Jonesboro, April 8. — Find the people very pleasant, 
although they are rebels. We shall board with them 
until Minerva comes. 

Jonesboro, Tues., April 17. — We have just heard the 
joyful tidings that William is elected Judge. The first 



OF THE CIVIL WAR 211 

we knew of it was a shout from the regimeDt that made 
the welkin ring. We thought they had got a mail and 
that they had news of some great victory; so William 
and I started out to see what the noise was about. As 
soon as they saw us they shouted, ''Hurrah for Judge 
Lyon". The mail had come and brought papers an- 
nouncing the fact of his election. We could hardly be- 
lieve it, it was so unexpected. We had a curiosity to see 
how many hundred votes he would be beaten by, but had 
no thought of election. It is two weeks today since the 
election, and we have only just heard of it. I never saw 
William so nonplussed. I am so happy I can hardly con- 
tain myself, for now William can leave the service hon- 
orably and come home. They think now that we will not 
go farther East, since Lee's surrender. 

The 4th Army Corps, we now hear, was sent here to 
go through to Richmond and reinforce the troops al- 
ready there. The deserters are daily coming in. This 
morning sixty of Vaughn's command came here and gave 
themselves up. The war is over, but poor President Lin- 
coln could not live to see the end. His assassination is 
awful ! 



COLONEL LYON'S LETTERS. 

"April 17, 1865. — I suppose there is little or no 
doubt of my election. I was never so surprised in my 
life, for I never had the least expectation of being 
elected. I shall come home as early as I can honorably 
and properly do so, certainly by September and probably 
before, to make the necessary arrangements and prepara- 
tions for my new duties. You must not feel too hard 
towards those of my best friends who opposed me. They 
had an undoubted right to do so. 

"We have just heard the shocking tidings of Presi- 



212 KEMINISOEKCES 

dent Lincoln's assassination. Tiiis is an awful thiug for 
the country. It makes my heart bleed." 



MRS. LYON'S DIARY. 



April 20, 1865. — We have had orders to march back 
to Greenville. It has rained so much and been so un- 
pleasant that I dread to return the way we came. We 
were in hopes to go back by way of Richmond. We 
started at 12 o'clock. It is very warm, roads almost im- 
passable. Bade Jonesboro good-bye. 

April 21, 1865.— We started at five o'clock this 
morning and marched three miles beyond Greenville. It 
was so warm that many of the boys threw away their 
blankets, and some threw away their overcoats, they 
were so burdensome. They say if the war is over they 
will not need them again. We came to a beautiful 
spring and the men filled their canteens. I saw one man 
drop out of the ranks and go and lie in the corner of 
the fence, and I asked the orderly to tell the surgeon 
that there was a man left. He came back to see him and 
found him dead. He had drunk too much cold water, 
and being so very heated it had stopped the heart's 
action. There were several ill from the same cause. 

April 22, 1865. — We started at five o'clock in the 
morning so as to get the cool of the day. Had a hard 
march. Got to Bull's Gap in advance of the other 
troops. 

"Bull's Gap, Sunday, April 23, 1865.— We have 
sent all the things to the cars. Stayed all day under a 
borrowed fly to a tent. Captain King invited us to take 
tea with him. He lives in a part of the depot. We will 
take the cars here for Knoxville. 

April 24, 1865. — Last night while we were waiting 



OF THE CIVIL WAR 213 

for the cars there came up as hard a thunder storm as I 
almost ever heard, and so many of us were driven into 
the depot that the men went into empty cars. The train 
did not come until after midnight, and as it was then 
raining so hard and was so muddy, the question was 
raised as to how I was to get to the cars, but Jerry said 
that he could "tote" me, which he did. It was nearly 
night when we got to Knoxville. We were delayed by 
trains ahead of us being off the track. 

April 25. — We got to Chattanooga, had another 
view of those beautiful mountains, went over this bad 
road at a tremendous rate, but safely, William got me 
to playing whist before we got to the Whiteside bridge 
so that I would not notice it, but I found it out. I had 
dreaded it. ^Vhen we first went over it our attention was 
drawn to it. Standing in the door of the car we could 
see the engine and a letter S formed by the train be- 
tween us and the engine. I have never been over such 
a crooked road, and it made me feel nervous. 

April 26. — We stayed on the track all night within 
seven miles of Stevenson. There was a train off the 
track ahead of us. There have been so many wrecks on 
this road that you can not go a mile without seeing 
where there has been one, so I am told. The guerillas 
fired at a train in front of us and at one behind us. I 
think we were fortunate to escape as we did, there were 
so many dangers, both seen and unseen. 

April 27. — We came through the tunnel near Tul- 
lahoma. It is 2,226 feet in length and it takes five min- 
utes to go through it, and it is as dark as a dungeon. 

We are encamped in a very pleasant spot about 
seven miles from Nashville, in a grove on a hill, cool 
and shady. We shall go into Nashville next week and 
see our acquaintances. There is a rumor that the 
Fourth Corps is to be sent to Texas, but nothing definite. 

When we got off the cars, a sick man was also taken 



214 EEMINISOENCES 

off who had congestive fever the doctor said. He was 
lying on the ground and I went to him and asked him if 
I could make him a cup of tea. He said no, but that he 
would like to have his face washed. So I got a dish and 
some water and a cloth and washed his face and hands. 
He had a high fever and I wet his head. He was very 
grateful. I then made a cup of tea and some toast, but 
he did not eat much. [Two days after that he died of 
small pox. I was a little alarmed after I heard of that.] 



COI.ONEL LYON'S LETTERS. 

"May 9, 1865. — Yesterday was quite a gala day 
here. The Fourth Army Corps, mustering 20,000 mus- 
kets, was reviewed by Major-General Thomas. The day 
was very fine and everything passed off nicely. Our 
women never saw anything of the kind before, and of 
course were delighted. Adelia brought a side-saddle 
from home and I have a nice, gentle little mare which 
she proposes to ride about the country. We are pleas- 
antly situated in a beautiful grove on Mill creek, about 
four miles south of town, and are enjoying unadulter- 
ated camp life. When we were gone a few days ago the 
boys built an arbor over our tent and made us a rude 
bedstead. We eat from a rough table set under a tree, 
and have no floor in our tent. 

"We are all watching with great interest the final 
disposition to be made of the army, with strong hopes 
that we shall be sent home before many weeks elapse. 
Certainly there is no more active service for us in this 
war. The Government has failed to pay the troops as 
it should. There is eight months' pay due this corps. 
Adelia will stay as long as the prospect is good for our 
being soon discharged." 



OF THE CIVIL WAE 215 

LETTER FROM MRS. LYON. 

Tuesday, May 9, 1865. — We attended the review. 
It was the most gorgeous sight I ever saw. The bugler 
makes more music in the calls than I ever heard before. 
He passed in review alone and played all the bugle calls. 
We had an ambulance at our disposal, and we went 
around to see the sights. I saw much more of Nashville 
than I did when we were living there. 

I must tell you how our bedstead is made. The 
posts are four posts driven into the ground, and the end 
and side pieces are nailed onto them. Some small trees 
were split and laid on them, the flat side up, and over 
that is a straw bed. The quilts are in a bad plight. Wil- 
liam has gone to bed so often with his spurs on that they 
are pretty well used up. I frequently got my arms 
through the holes, but I have had them washed clean 
and have mended them the best I could, and get along 
with them the best I can. The blue spread covers it all 
and looks nice. We can't get any more here. I forgot 
to tell you about the headboard of our bedstead. There 
are three boards four inches wide driven into the ground 
lenglhwise. This keeps the pillows in place. 



MRS. LYON S DIARY, 



May 11, 1865. — Cold and stormy. We got so cold 
that we tied up the tent and went to bed to keep warm. 
It is raining so hard we have had to take a lunch in the 
tent. We could not build a fire to cook anything, nor 
set the table out of doors. It cleared off towards night, 
so we had a fire built before the tent and it made it quite 
comfortable, and we had a good supper. I often find 
that our goodies in the trunk come handy. 



216 KEMINISGENCES 

Camp Harker, May 20, 1865. — They have named 
the camp "Camp Harker," after some General I believe. 
There is still no change in our condition. We are to 
move camp soon. William and I have been to see the 
place, about half a mile from here, and we shall have 
more room. 



LETTER FROM MRS. LYON TO ISAAC LYON. 

Camp Barker, May 24, 1865. — We had a hard thun- 
der storm last night. A heavy storm seems very near 
when you are in a tent. I would jump at the peals, they 
sounded so near. 

William and I were sitting on a puncheon on the 
grass, and as George went into the tent he called our 
attention to a swift on the trunk I had been sitting on a 
few minutes before. They captured it and I have it in a 
bottle for you. 

We had a call from Father Tracey and Mr. O'Riley. 
I like Father Tracey very much. He has been with this 
army corps considerably. 



MRS. LYON'S DIARY. 

Camp Harker, May 26. — Camp is being moved, with 
the exception of headquarters, which will be moved 
when we go to Nashville. 

Camp Harker, May 27. — This morning when I first 
wakened I looked up, and on the upper part of the tent, 
right over the bed, were ever so many centipedes. I 
spoke to William. We were quite alarmed and got up 
and out of that tent about as quickly as we could. They 
were different lengths, showing they had several famil- 



OF THE CIVIL WAR 217 

ies. We did not get any of them on us. The men took 
the tent down and killed all they could find. They said 
there were numbers of them, but we escaped being bitten. 

Camp Harker, May 28. — A large party of us took a 
trip today to the Hermitage, General Jackson's home. 
We had two ambulance loads, and nearly all our oflftcers 
went on horseback, as a body-guard. We went through 
the garden to the tomb where General Jackson and his 
wife are buried. At the head of the tomb is a beautiful 
large magnolia tree in bloom, which filled the whole 
yard with perfume. There was a great variety of fiow- 
ers in bloom and Lieut. Knilans bought me a beautiful 
bouquet of roses. Hickory canes cut on the plantation 
were also for sale, and I bought two for the two fathers, 

We took our lunch, expecting to picnic, but the old 
servants offered us the use of the dining hall, a large, 
beautiful room, which they said was seldom opened. 
There was a very nice mahogany extension table, made in 
the old fashion, and they brought us the old family china, 
and gave us all the buttermilk we could drink. (Butter- 
milk is a great luxury with the Southern people.) We 
saw the old family carriage, made entirely from the old 
ship Constitution ; but the gray-headed negroes were the 
greatest novelty about the plantation. Old Aunt Betty 
said she cooked for General Jackson forty years. They 
have numbers of visitors. We had a very pleasant day. 



LETTER FROM COLONEL LYON. 

"Camp Harker, May 29, 1865. — I expect to get a 
leave of absence, which I have applied for; and in that 
case we shall go home about the middle of June. I do 
not like to resign, because I think we shall be mustered 
out during the summer and I wish very much to stay in 



218 REMINISCENCES 

the service to the end of the war. My leave will be for 
twenty days if I get one. The surrender of Kirby Smith 
practically ends the war, and saves us probably from 
beins: sent to Texas." 



MRS. LYON'S DIARY. 



Camp Harker, June 1, 1865. — We have moved camp. 
I found it all done when I came back from town. We 
take long rides every day. I enjoy it very much now, 
the mare is so kind and gentle. 

Camp Harker, June 10. — We had quite an excite- 
ment last night. I awoke with the feeling that there 
was some one in the tent, and I raised up and saw a man 
on his hands and knees looking up at me. I screamed, 
"William, there is a man in the tent." I awoke all the 
inmates of all the tents around us with the scream. The 
man was looking for William's trousers, I suppose, and 
found garments he did not expect to see. He got out 
very quickly. William jumped up and tried to catch 
him. He felt under his pillow for his pistol the first 
thing, but I had objected to his having it when I was 
there, so he did not find it. He shouted, "Stop that 
thief," and immediately there were a number of men out 
of their tents, but they did not know what they were 
called out for. The man had to run between the tents 
to get away, and he went like the wind and escaped. 
Yesterday the Paymaster was here and paid off some of 
the troops, but he did not pay the 13th. The thief had 
been through all the tents but one and had taken all he 
could find, but he did not get anything from us. 

June 13. — I am starting for home. General Beatty 
kindly takes me to Nashville in his ambulance. Adju- 
tant Scott goes North with me. 



OF THE CIVIL WAR 219 

June 17. — Arrived, home at five o'clock in the morn- 
ing, having stayed over in Chicago a couple of days. At- 
tended the Sanitary Fair. 



LETTER FROM COLONEL LYON. 

"Wed. Eve., June 14, 1865. — Our transportation 
starts for Johnsonville tomorrow morning, and General 
Wood informed me this evening that it is understood 
that the Second Division also goes tomorrow and our 
division on Friday. We probably shall not get off, how- 
ever, before Saturday. If not delayed, I think I can get 
home by Thursday of next week, but a delay of a day or 
two at Johnsonville is not at all improbable. So do not 
look for me until the last of the week. I am very busy 
getting ready to move, and in the absence of the Adjutant 
am compelled to look after all of the details of business 
in person. The men mustered out will get off tomorrow 
evening. 

"I suppose you are steaming through Indiana now. 
It is intolerably lonesome here since you left, and we 
need the excitement of a march to help our spirits." 



June 20, 1865. — William reached home on leave of 
absence for 20 days. 



COLONEL LYON'S LETTERS. 

"Cairo, 111., Sun. a. m., July 9, 1865.— We did not 
get here until after midnight, having been detained sev- 



220 REMINISCENCES 

eral hours by a collision ahead of us, fifty miles from 
here. I found the Major and Lieutenant Fowle in Chi- 
cago. Saw nothing of the Adjutant. We leave on the 
'Clara Dalson' at 11 o'clock this morning for New Or- 
leans. The weather is somewhat warm here. We get 
Government transportation from here, which is worth 
flO to each of us, and our meals and staterooms cost us 
|20 more." 

"On Steamer Clara Dalson, July 12, 1865. — We are 
now steaming past Milliken's Bend, 28 miles above 
Vicksburg, where we expect to be before jioon. We left 
Cairo at 2 p. m. Sunday. Arrived at Memphis, 240 
miles below Cairo, at 5 p. m. Monday. Were near Helena 
yesterday morning. Passed the mouths of White and 
Arkansas rivers and Napoleon yesterday afternoon, and 
this morning find ourselves here. We are 600 miles be- 
low Cairo and over 1,000 miles from Racine. We are 
yet 400 miles from New Orleans. 

"We are having a delightful trip. We have a good 
boat, and good fare; weather comfortably cool, with 
considerable rain. We expect to be at New Orleans by 
Friday. We hear nothing of the corps moving as yet. 
We have green corn every day, and found plenty of ripe 
I>eaches at Memphis. The country is low and flat, but 
large plantations are becoming more frequent. 



OF THE CIVIL WAK 221 




ew Orleans, Fri., July 14, 1865.— We 
arrived here at eight o'clock this 
morning, sound and well. I found 
that our corps have moved and are 
moving for Indianola, Texas. Our 
division went several days ago. Lieu- 
tenant Fowle and I leave tomorrow on 
steamer Zenobia. 

''This is a beautiful city and the 
cleanest one that I ever saw. There is some talk that 
<tur division goes to Austin, which is said to be a healthy 
place. I hope so. I go on board of the steamer soon " 

"Green Lake, Texas, Sunday, July 23, 1865.— 1 
wrote you from New Orleans on the 14th inst., since 
which time I have had no opportunity to get off a letter. 
r left New Orleans on the morning of the 15th and went 
down to Corps Ileadquarters, six miles, where I changed 
from the Zenobia to a larger and bettor steamship, on 
which we left that evening, reaching the mouth of the 
Mississippi Sunday morning. 

"We found a heavy gale blowing on the Gulf from 
the south, so we lay there until Monday night — the gale 
subsided — we put to sea and reached the coast near 
Indianola Wednesday evening. We had a very rough 
passage, but I was not seasick. We lay at anchor, toss- 
ing in a rough sea, unable to cross the bar into Mata- 
gorda bay until Friday morning, when we succeeded in 
getting over and ran up to Indianola, 18 or 20 miles 
from the Gulf. There we learned that the regiment was 
here. We took a lighter (a small schooner) and went up 
the bay 12 miles to Lavaca. Here we found a good hotel 
and a very nice little town, and remained until yester- 
day morning; then got a conveyance and came to camp, 
15 miles west. The Adjutant overtook us at the Balje, 



KEMINISCENCES 



or mouth of the Mississippi, and transferred himself to 
our boat. 

"I found that the regiment has had a tough time. 
There was no fresh water at Indianola and they had to 
march directly here, 20 or 25 miles, which they did in a 
night, the men suffering badly for water. I found Col- 
onel Kummel very unwell. Mr. Foote was very seasick 
on the Gulf, and is quite feeble yet. 

"My poor boys seemed overjoyed to see me. They 
gave some hearty yells when I came into camp, and I 
think I had to shake hands with every man in the regi- 
ment during the afternoon. They were getting very 
restless, but I think they are better reconciled now to 
their lot. Desertions from the corps are frequent aud 
(juite numerous, though much less from the 13th than 
from many other regiments. The men feel outraged aud 
wronged because they are sent here while so many 
thousands who have rendered less service are being sent 
home. It is our principle business to encourage and 
reconcile them, and I assure you I was needed here and 
badly, too, for that service. 

"You would like to know what sort of a country this 
is. I will tell you. Everything except the climate is 
damnable. From this to the coast is one vast, level 
plain, perfectly naked, without a tree or shrub, covered 
with a thin gTowth of coarse grass which affords pastur- 
age to thousands of cattle and horses in a semi-wild 
state that roam over it in every direction. Snakes, scor- 
pions, tarantulas, centipedes, and almost every venomous 
and loathsome reptile, abound here, and the streams are 
infested with alligators. The boys killed one between 
seven and eight feet long in the lake close to our camp 
yesterday, and one eighteen feet long has been killed by 
the command since it came here. Our camp is on a 
clean piece of prairie which is less infested with these 
reptiles than are some other locations, though it has oc- 



OF THE CIVIL WAR 223 

curred several times since they have been here that the 
boys have found snakes (I think venomous ones) in 
their blankets. 

"This lake is a shallow, fresh water one, from (me 
to two miles wide, which sometimes nearly dries up. The 
water is as warm as dishwater, but otherwise good. 

"I am boarding with our new doctor (Woodruff), 
Chaplain Foote and wife. Colonel Kummel, Captain 
Fish and the Adjutant. We get but little to eat, except 
that we have most excellent fresh beef. This, with cof- 
fee and steamed hardtack, is our bill of fare — no vege- 
tables — no nothing that makes eating a pleasure. The 
country produces nothing in the way of vegetables to 
speak of. 

"When the balance of the corps gets here we shall 
''move on,' like poor Joe in Bleak House — probably in 
a week or two. The First Division goes to San Antonio, 
the Second to New Braunfels, and the Third to Austin, 
the capital of the State, which is 150 miles from here. 
What in the name of common sense we are going there 
for, or why we are here in Texas at all, is more than I 
can find out or even guess at, and I am unable to find 
any one who is any wiser on this subject than I am." 

"July 25, 1865. — The weather would be very hot 
were it not for the trade winds, which come up about 
nine or ten o'clock in the morning and blow a stiff breeze 
from the south all day. But we shall lose the benefit 
of this when we get into the interior probably. Every- 
body says that the country improves as we advance into 
it, and that at Austin we will get better water and more 
to eat. If we do I will apologize for slandering Texas. 
Do you think I am sorry that I did not resign at Nash- 
ville? Not a bit of it. My presence here is absolutely 
indispensible to the welfare of the regiment, and right 
here, beyond all question, is my jyost of duty as long as 
I can reasonably remain. 



224 REMINISCENCES 

"My time expires September 25th, only two months 
hence, and then I can be mustered out, get my three 
months' extra pay, and I presume enough mileage to 
pay my expenses home — neither of which would I get if 
I resign. So I tell the bo^^s that if my health keeps good 
I will stay with them until that time. Then it will take 
me about twenty days to get home. 

"At Lavaca I met a brother-in-law of Mr. Sheldon, 
of Burlington, named Chrysler. Mrs. Chrysler looks 
just like her brother. They had not heard from their 
friends North during the war, and of course were much 
])leased to get recent news from them. They have been 
here many 3^ears, are well off, and are ver3^ loyal. 1 hear 
of Judge Irvin, our Judge when I commenced practice, 
living some thirty miles from here on our road to Aus- 
tin. I hope to see him. 

"It cost me over |80 to get here, the best I could do. 
I had Government transportation from Cairo. It will 
cost me more than flOO to get home, and if I should fail 
to get my final pay in New Orleans, which is quite prob- 
able, I shall just about be out of money when I get ready 
to start home, and there will be none in the regiment 
then. 

"General Beatty and General Wood have advised 
Dr. Cady to resign. He is in the hospital at Indianola. 
He will probably take the advice. Captain Pratt and 
Lieutenant Loucks have resigned and gone home." 

"Green Lake, Tex., July 26, 1865.— I am well and 
in good spirits, notwithstanding we have nothing 
decent to eat except fresh beef, and nothing but warm 
water to drink. I keep cold coffee without sugar in 
my canteen, and drink that. I have to sleep on the 
ground, for the reason that there is not a pole nor a 
board within ten miles with which to build a bunk. Only 
two more months, and then I will leave for good." 

"Green Lake, Tex., July 28, 1865. — The corps gets 



OF THE CIVIL WAR 225 

here very slowly, and we can not get away from here for 
some days, perhaps not in two or three weeks, and by 
that time the order sending us so far into the interior 
may be countermanded. Indeed, we hear a rumor that 
we are only to go to Victoria, some 25 miles inland from 
this point, but the rumor is not very reliable. We are 
fitted up now so that we are very comfortable, except 
that we can not get enough decent food. 

"The Major reached us on Monday night last. He 
and I are in the same tent. I have a bunk and mosquito 
bar over it and sleep very comfortably. Before we got 
fitted up I lay on the ground outside and a sudden 
shower one night soaked me to the skin. We have but 
few flies here. The boys kill lots of alligators two or 
three miles from camp. Time hangs heavily on my 
hands, and did I not expect to make one of the dear 
home circle so soon I should be unhappy." 

"Aug. 1, 1865. — Yesterday we received a mail and 
in it two letters from you of the 9th and 13th of July, 
the first I have had from you since I left home. It makes 
me feel as though it had broken up the feeling of isola- 
tion that prevails here. The country seems to be pretty 
healthy and the men seem to improve — I think perhaps 
because we all live short. I think no army since the 
war began has been so miserably supplied as is this 
army. The coarsest and plainest food is all we can get, 
and even that is frequently scant and of poor quality. 
There is one advantage in this, and that is that we can 
not spend much money. 

"General Stanley and Corps headquarters arrived 
here last evening. I do not think we shall go to Austin. 
The understanding now is that one division goes to San 
Antonio de Bexar and the other two remain at Victoria, 
20 miles from here. Which division goes up the country 
we do not know. There will probably be no movement 
for two weeks yet. We all, officers and men, feel 



226 REMINISCENCES 

wronged and outraged that we are kept in service. The 
law under which we volunteered declares that we shall 
be discharged as soon as the war is over. The war is 
over. Throughout the whole broad land there is not an 
organized force of rebels in arms. The people of the 
South have all returned to their allegiance and in good 
faith are endeavoring to restore civil government. 
There is no earthly use for an army here, and yet the 
Government is paying 150,000 men. 

"I do not mean by this that there is so large a force 
in Texas. Probably there are not 75,000 soldiers here, 
but the organizations to which they belong contain that 
number of men. Only a little over half of the 13th is 
here and none of the absentees return, yet all have to 
be paid. I am astonished that the people at home do not 
insist on having the army mustered out on the ground of 
economy. I myself was opposed to doing it too hastily ; 
but the time has now come when the regular army and 
the colored troops are ample for all the purposes that 
an army is required for. 

"Of course it makes no difference to me whether 
this corps is mustered out or not, for I can get out of the 
service any time. I have already written to you that I 
have concluded to remain until September 25th, when I 
am entitled to be mustered out. Then there is a bare 
hope that the regiment will be mustered out by that 
time." 

"Green Lake, Texas, Aug. 10, 1865. — None of our 
officers or men from Wisconsin have returned yet, but 
we expect some of them during this month. The mos- 
quitoes are awful here. The weather has been rainy for 
some days and they have increased in numbers fright- 
fully. The sleeping in camp is done in the day time 
mainly. The men have no bars and it is impossible to 
sleep without them at night, so the men dance all night. 
They have an old fiddle, and half a dozen fiddlers take 



OP THE CIVIL WAR 227 

turns at the instrument, and a hundred men at a time 
break it down in regular stag dance style on the prairie 
by the hour. Last night they wanted to know if the 
frolic disturbed me, but I told them no, to wade in and 
enjoy themselves — yet they kept me awake for hours. 
My bar affords me ample protection and if I do not get 
sleep at night I take it in the day time. Looking over 
the camp now, 11 o'clock a. m., you can not see twenty- 
five men, yet there are 350 at least in it. They are all 
asleep. The weather is hot, the thermometer seldom be- 
low 80 degrees day or night, usually in the day time 
from 90 to 95 degrees; but during the day we get a 
breeze from the Gulf, which relieves us greatly. 

"I need not tell you that I am impatient for the time 
to come when I shall be home again for good. I think 
when I walk into our shanty, hang up my hat, and take 
you and our little ones (one at a time of course) in my 
arms, I shall be about as happy a fellow as you can find 
around there. I find it necessary to use some restraint 
or I should be counting the days that intervene before 
my muster out, but I do not do it, at least aloud. I will 
say to yoii, however, privately, that it is just 45 days, or 
one and one-half months. 

"If I could take the regiment home with me I should 
be just about perfectly happy, but I see but little pros- 
pect of being permitted to do that. We shall leave in a 
few days for San Antonio I expect. We do not know 
when. The First Division has already gone to Victoria. 
San Antonio is distant from here 120 or 130 miles. It 
will require about three weeks to get letters there from 
Wisconsin." 

"Green Lake, Texas, Aug. 15, 1865. — I have but lit- 
tle to write. Weather very hot, mosquitoes very thick, 
and I continue well. We have rumors that the 4th Corps 
is to be mustered out. I hope the order will come be- 
fore my time expires. I find that if I am mustered out 



228 REMINISCENCES 

before the regiment I do not get the three months' extra 
pay. This is very unjust, and yet it is in perfect keeping 
with the policy pursued by the Government toward us. 

''The 4th Corps has been dissolved by a War De- 
partment order. Captain Hart has resigned, General 
Wood, we hear, is ordered to report for duty to General 
Reynolds, who commands in Arkansas. This looks like 
a breaking up of the command. In the meantime we 
keep as patient as we can under the circumstances. We 
do not do very much soldiering now. No supplies of 
clothing are sent us — the men are ragged — get scant and 
poor rations — and of course are restless and dissatis- 
fied." 

"Green Lake, Tex., Aug. 22, 1865.— Still no change 
in our condition or prospects. We keep constantly hear- 
ing that we are to start up the country in a few days, 
yet we see no signs of going. The Adjutant received 
letters that told him that he ought to be in Chicago by 
the 5th of next month to proceed with his business ar- 
rangements, so he mustered out at once and left last 
evening. I miss him very much indeed, and can not 
supply his place. Captain Knilans and Lieutenant 
Knox (Company I) left here two days ago as delegates to 
the Union State Convention to be held at Madison on 
September 6th. Captain Steele has leave of absence and 
went with them. 

"Your letter to Hastings is just the thing. I have 
shown it to some of the officers and they think it can 
not be beaten, although I should probably not have ad- 
vised you to write it, yet I am glad you did so. 

"The two doctors in the hospital, steward. Captain 
Pish and myself constitute our mess. We live cheap, 
but oh, such living! Our crackers are so old that the 
worms have taken up their abode in them; but we rap 
them on the table and nearly all fall out. They are also 
musty and mouldy, and are not very appetizing. I do 



OF THE CIVIL WAR 229 

not know but I shall kill myself by eating too much when 
I get home. The health of the regiment is pretty good 
now, and I seriously think the principal reason for the 
improvement is that the doctors are unable to get any 
medicine. The weather is very warm but the nights are 
growing perceptibly cooler. Mosquitoes are on the 
decrease, owing to dry weather." 

"Green Lake, Texas, Aug. 27, 1865. — I have not 
written to you since the 22d, for the reason that we are 
in the midst of a great storm and no mails have gone out 
or arrived for several days. It has rained terribly the 
most of the time for three days and the roads are almost 
impassable. It seems to be holding up now, and I hope 
the mail will go out tomorrow. No vessels can get in or 
go out the pass below Indianola. General Wood, who 
has been ordered to Little Rock, has been at Indianola 
for several days unable to get aM^ay. The storm comes 
from the northeast and is unusual for the season. The 
water has been over the bottom of our tent several times. 
The men are getting sick a good deal. Ague and remit- 
tent fevers predominate, but yield readily to treatment. 
One trouble is that we can get scarcely any medicine at 
all. The neglect and utter indifference of the authori- 
ties to the welfare of these men is fearful. No supplies 
of medicine or clothing, very poor rations and insuffi- 
cient in quality at that — is our lot. This, in addition to 
being held in service after their contract with the Gov- 
ernment has been fully executed, is pretty rough treat- 
ment for the men who have breasted the tide of war for 
four long years and whose valor and fortitude have 
saved the Government from total ruin. And the most 
aggravating thing about our situation is that there does 
not exist the least necessity for our services. For all 
any good we do the Government we might as well be in 
the Fiji Islands, and yet we see no indication that the 
corps will be mustered out soon." 



230 REMINISCENCES 

"Green Lake, Texas, Pri., Sept. 1, 1865. — Yesterday 
we were moving camp about two miles to better ground, 
and I had to muster the regiment, all of which made a 
lively day's work. The health of the regiment is bad. 
Fully one-third of the men are unfit for duty. The sick- 
ness would not be severe, but we have no medicine, and 
the men get worse and worse for want of treatment. One 
died in Company F today, an Indian ; and we shall lose 
several more. The officers on the sick list are Captains 
Kingman and Patchin, Lieutenants Cheney and Beck- 
with and Colonel Kummel. The latter has applied for a 
leave of absence and if he gets it will start for home 
soon. Captain Kingman will be mustered out as soon as 
he is able to travel. Captain Parker has also sent in his 
resignation. 

"We have a clean, pleasant camp on the bank of the 
lake, on the bare prairie, not a tree about us. The 
weather is hot, but we get a breeze every afternoon 
which makes us comfortable. Mosquitoes are reason- 
ably plentiful and very large and energetic. I 
find my bar a perfect protection. We get no light on 
our future destiny, but rather expect to go up the coun- 
try, at least as far as Victoria. That place is 22 miles 
from here. I have pretty much given up the hope of 
being able to take the regiment home with me, which I 
assure you is a sore disappointment to me." 

"Green Lake, Texas., Sept. 5, 1865. — The days drag 
along slowly enough, but I keep myself in as patient a 
frame of mind as possible. Coarse food, poorly cooked, 
and very poor water, is enough to use up almost any- 
body ; so the sick list is very large. Fully one-third are 
reported sick — none seem to be dangerously so. In other 
respects our condition is improving. We get better 
rations and have received clothing. 

"We are terribly troubled with mosquitoes. They 



OF THE CIVIL WAR 231 

come in myriads and early in the evening drive us under 
our mosquito-bars. 

"The weather is generally very hot. Altogether our 
situation is not pleasant here and I am anxious for the 
time to come when I can leave. I ride nearly every after- 
noon to a farm house between two and three miles from 
here for a drink of water out of a cistern. It is a great 
luxury. The country is infested with robbers between 
here and Victoria. 

"I have sent my last flO to New Orleans for quinine. 
It is the only thing to break up the fevers, and it is so 
long since the regiment was paid that there is no money 
in the regiment, and while mine lasted it was common 
property, and a man would be a heathen to not send for 
the medicine if he had any money. I really needed it 
myself for comforts, but it may save life. 

"I sit here in this pestilential country, surrounded 
with more discomforts and in more real danger than I 
have been in for a long time, and wait as patently as I 
can. I should have been glad to have crossed the Gulf 
before the equinoctial storms, but that seems out of the 
question now. No signs of being mustered out, or any 
movement, at present. I command the brigade and 
Beatty the division." 

"Green Lake, Texas, Sept. 8, 1865. — I have only a 
moment in which to write. The Adjutant had to come 
back to get his papers corrected — he was very sick on the 
way back, but is better. He arrived here yesterday 
morning. Captain Knilans got paid in New Orleans and 
sent me |50 to enable me to get out of this. I sent im- 
mediately to Victoria to get an order from General 
Stanley to muster out now. I expect it tonight. If I get 
it shall start in two or three days, and hope to be home 
by October 1st, perhaps a little before. If I do not get it 
I must stay my time out. If you do not get a letter for a 
week after you get this you may infer that I am en route 



232 REMINISCENCES 

borne. The Adjutant leaves this morning for New Or- 
leans, where he will wait for me. Captain Kingman 
soes with me." 



Soon after September 8, 1865, the date of the 
last of the above letters, the regiment received orders to 
march to Victoria, and at once moved to that place. As 
the term of the judicial oflflce to which my husband had 
been elected was to commence so soon after that time, he 
felt that it was necessary for him to return to Wisconsin 
as soon as possible to make preparations for his new 
duties. He therefore forwarded to the proper officer his 
resignation as Colonel, which was promptly accepted. 
He then returned to Wisconsin, reaching Madison about 
the first of October. Owing to the resignation of his 
predecessor before the end of his term of office, his 
judicial duties commenced on the first day of December, 
1865, and from that time forward were constant and 
exacting. 

Later an order was received that the regiment re- 
turn to Wisconsin, to be mustered out of service. It 
reached Madison the latter part of December, when it 
was mustered out and the men joyfully returned to their 
homes and the peaceful pursuits of civil life. 



OF THE CIVIL WAR 



233 



Address of Colonel Lyon at Madison, Wisconsin, on the 

Oocamon of the Presentation to the State of the 

Battle-Flags of the Wisconsin Regiments. 

(July 4, 1866.) 




overnor Fairchild : It now becomes my 
pleasing duty, in behalf of more than 
ninety thousand soldiers who went 
forth from Wisconsin during the late 
war to aid in the preservation of the 
Union, formally to surrender to the 
State, through you, its honored Chief 
Magistrate, these standards which 
from time to time it committed to 
our care. 

"It is right and proper that this day, dear above all 
other days to the hearts of freemen, should be selected 
for this interesting ceremou}-. It is meet that these ban- 
ners should be returned to the keeping of the State 
amid the roar of artiller^'^, the ringing of bells, the in- 
spiring strains of martial music, and in the presence of 
these congregated thousands of people, so many of whom 
have marched beneath them through all these weary, 
anxious years of war, and through so many scenes of 
peril and suffering and death. It is well on such a day 
and on such an occasion that you receive these banners 
from the hands that have borne them so proudly and so 
gallantly, and with fitting ceremonies deposit them with 
the archives of the State. 

"They whom I represent today neither expect nor 
desire that I should enlarge upon the subject of their 
services or speak the language of adulation. Yet I will 
not attempt to disguise or suppress the emotions of 
glad exultation with which I regard these mute yet elo- 



:^34 REMINISCENCES 

(jueut witnesses of the heroism, the fortitude, the fidelity 
to duty of Wisconsin soldiers, 

"When treason began its wicked work, and when 
the institutions of freedom and the cause of human lib- 
erty were in deadly peril, thousands of our sons rallied 
around these banners; and at every call of our revered 
President and Commander-in-Chief, thousands and tens 
of thousands more rushed to the rescue; and they bore 
these banners to every field of danger and duty. They 
carried them in every memorable campaign and through 
most of the fiercest battles of our terrible struggle for 
national life. From the Potomac to the distant western 
frontier, from the Ohio to the Rio Grande, wherever 
there were foes to face or duty to perform, these banners 
were borne. 

"Some of them waved proudh^ over scores of the 
bloodiest battlefields of the war. East and West. They 
were at Shiloh, luka and Corinth; at Perrj^ville and 
Stone River and Chickamauga ; at Mission Ridge and 
Franklin and Nashville; at Manassas and Fredericks- 
burg and Cedar Mountain ; at Chancellorsville and An- 
tietam and Gettysburg — glorious Gettysburg! where 
you, sir, received the stern baptism of fire and of blood I 
And many of them were conspicuous in all the battles 
which marked the triumphant advance of our armies 
upon Vicksburg and Atlanta and Richmond and many 
other strongholds of the rebellion. 

"But I must not dwell longer upon these inspiring 
themes. My comrades do not require that I should do 
so, but they do require that I should improve this most 
auspicious occasion in their name to thank the people 
of Wisconsin for their constant sympathy and their un- 
tiring devotion to the best interests of the soldiers in the 
field. 

"Those who were not in actual service can never 
fully understand the value of that sympathy and that 



OF THE CIVIL WAR 235 

devotion. It was a tower of strength to the soldier to 
know that at his distant home every patriotic heart felt 
for him the deepest solicitude, and that in almost every 
town, village and hamlet throughout his State organized 
efforts, earnest and presevering, were being made to pro- 
mote his welfare. 

"These considerations nerved his heart and 
strengthened his arm in the hour of peril. They gave 
him fortitude when surrounded by circumstances of dis- 
couragement, and faith in the ultimate triumph of the 
cause so dear to his heart. Thus was his patriotism in- 
tensified and thus did he become invincible. 

"It was the soldier's duty to toil and struggle and 
light, and, if so ordered in the good providence of God, 
to suffer and die for our cause; but toil was lightened 
and suffering and death were easier to be borne when he 
knew that from thousands of devoted hearts constant 
aspirations were ascending to Heaven for his success 
and safety, and that if he fell his memory would be 
kindly cherished by the good and true who cared for 
him. 

"The evidences of the deep interest of our people in 
the welfare of our soldiers are too numerous to admit of 
more than a passing notice. It was manifested in the 
princely contributions to the funds of the Sanitary and 
Christian Commissions, in the active and efficient work 
of the numerous soldiers' aid societies, in relieving the 
wants of the destitute families of soldiers, and in thou- 
sands of instances of individual effort and individual 
sacrifice — all for the same beneficent purpose and all 
tending to the same great end. And the State, through 
its Legislature, true to the exalted patriotism of the 
people, provided as far as practicable by legal enact- 
ments for the protection and welfare of our soldiers and 
their families. It sent out its accredited agents to watch 
over and care for us and to protect our rights ; it gave us 



236 REMINISCENCES 

the elective franchise; aud it appropriated immense 
sums in the aggregate for the benefit of our families at 
home. And from people and State, all through the long 
and bloody and sometimes apparently doubtful contest 
— came to us words of cheer and hopefulness and ap- 
proval that filled our hearts with joy unspeakable. 

^'^It was this spirit that sent the lamented Governor 
Harvey to the bloody field of Shiloh to minister to the 
^\auts of our sick aud wounded and dying men; and 
u hen the turbid waters of the Tennessee closed over him 
forever, the same spirit prompted her who was nearest 
aud dea7*<\st to him to dedicate her life to the same holy 
work. 

"Aud it is the same spirit, still fresh and vigorous in 
our State, that has organized and that fosters aud sus- 
tains those beueficeut institutions made necessary by the 
casualties of the war — the home for disabled soldiers and 
for soldiers' orphans. 

"I have alluded to some of the good effects of all 
this care and solicitude for the welfare of our soldiers; 
but it developed anotiier and more important result, to 
which I will briefly refer. 

"When the war commenced very many people were 
deeply apprehensive that our young men who entered 
the service might return to us more or less demoralized. 
They feared that the associations of the camp, the ir- 
regularities of military life, the absence of the salutary 
restraints of home, and the necessary familiarity with 
scenes of violence and blood, might render them less in- 
dustrious, less moral, less peaceable, and therefore less 
useful citizens than they otherwise would have been. 

"But the war closed and these men returned to our 
midst and quietly took their places in civil life, showing 
no signs whatever of the existence of that demoraliza- 
tion which so many feared. The only change we find in 
them is that they are more thoughtful, more self-reliant 



OF THE CIVIL WAE 237 

aud more earnest men, and therefore better and more 
valuable citizens than they were before. 

"Why is this? I have already hinted at the reason. 
It is because the people at home manifested so deep an 
interest in them ; because they gave so many substantial 
evidences of that interest, and maintained intercourse 
with them so constantly that our soldiers felt themselves 
ever in the presence of their families and friends. The 
restraints of social life and the sweet and tender influ- 
ences of home were ever over aud around them, guarding 
them from evil and preserving their integrity and char- 
acter. 

"Hence the wonderful phenomena of a vast army, 
which had been in the field for years, disbanded and 
scattered in every community throughout the whole 
land, without discord, without demoralization, and with- 
out any disturbance of the quiet, peaceful currents of 
civil life. 

"This is a sublime spectacle ; and I repeat with emo- 
tions of profound gratitude that the most efficient, the 
most powerful agency in producing a result of such price- 
less value, was that spirit of deep, heartfelt sympathy 
for our soldiers, and that active interest in their welfare, 
so universally manifested by our people at home during 
the whole period of the war. 

"And now, sir, having acknowledged our obliga- 
tions to our people, I return for a few moments to the 
theme which the occasion presses more directly upon 
our attention. These banners are the glorious symbols of 
our national unity, the material representations of the 
institutions of freedom and of the patriotism of the peo- 
ple. Like the cross to the believer — to the soldier the 
flag under which he fights is the cherished emblem of 
his faith and his hope and the object of his devoted love. 
To his mind, the honor of the flag is synonymous with 
individual honor and with the honor and glorv of the 



288 KEMINISCENOES 

State and the Nation, and includes them all. Every 
patriotic heart cherished the same sentiment. 

"Hence do these banners become to us the symbols 
and emblems and mementoes of all the labors and sacri- 
fices and prayers of all the people for the success of our 
arms. In this view they have a history ; a history event- 
ful, thrilling and glorious in some of its details, and yet 
inexpressibly mournful and touching and sad in others. 
A history which may never be traced on parchment or 
fully uttered by human lips, yet which is written in in- 
delible characters upon the hearts and memories of thou- 
sands throughout the land. 

"The mother who sent forth her son with prayers 
and blessings and bitter tears from her peaceful home, 
to fight and die for his country, and who sits today by 
her desolate hearth-stone and weeps because he returns 
no more, and yet who thanks God that she had an offer- 
ing so valuable to lay upon the altar of her bleeding 
country; the wife whose husband sleeps his last, dream- 
less sleep upon some distant Southern battlefield, and 
from whose life the light and joy and beauty have gone 
(Hit forever; these, and every sorrowing, desolate heart 
made such by the war, are amongst the custodians of 
this wonderful history. So, also, is every soldier who 
has marched and fought beneath these banners ; so, also, 
is each patriot who has labored in civil life for the suc- 
cess of our arms, or who has breathed fervent prayers to 
heaven for the triumph of the right. 

"But I must hasten to a conclusion. When these 
banners were entrusted to our care we promised with 
hands uplifted to heaven that we would defend the honor 
of the State and the Nation, of which these were the 
symbols, under all circumstances and to the last ex- 
tremity ; and in behalf of those to whom they were thus 
entrusted I solemnly declare that this promise has been 
faithfully performed. 



OP THE CIVIL WAR 239 

"So we return these banners to the State, from 
Avhence we received them. They are bruised and torn 
and tattered ; but, thanks be to God, there is no stain of 
dishonor upon one of them ! 

"Receive them, sir, from our hands, and deposit 
them with the archives of the State. Let us always ful- 
fill our sacred obligations to those who are maimed or 
who fell in their defense, and to their helpless families; 
and as we gaze with affectionate veneration upon these 
sacred symbols of our national faith, let us never forget 
the lessons of patriotism and of fidelity to duty which 
their history inculcates." 



240 



REMINISCENCES 




Reunion of Vmnpany K, Eighth Wisconsin Volunteer 
Infantry, Geneva, Wisconsin, October Sth. 

[omrades of Company K, Ladies and 
Gentlemen : There can be few more 
joyous occasions on earth than the 
meeting of those who in pursuit of 
some great and glorious object have 
endured together for years peril, 
privation and suffering, and who have 
been long separated by the chances 
and vicissitudes of life. 
"Hence it is that to 3'ou, comrades, who so long and 
so faithfully served together as soldiers in the armies of 
the Union during the late rebellion, the occasion of this 
reunion is one of most intense interest and delightful 
enjoyment. 

"The friendships formed between those who volun- 
tarily banded together and went forth to fight, and if 
need be to die for their country, who marched and toiled 
side by side, and who stood shoulder to shoulder in the 
dark and terrible hours of battle and carnage, are 
among the deepest and most lasting of earthly friend- 
ships. 

"As you clasp the hand and gaze upon the loved 
features of each brave comrade, memories of some thrill- 
ing scene through which you have passed together, with 
some memorable event which stirred the hearts of both 
either with gladness 01 sorrow, come back to you with 
the vividness of reality. 

"It may be that those memories are of the time when 
in obedience to a sacred duty you sternly tore yourselves 
away from the fond embraces of sister, or mother, or 
child, or wife, who clung to you with such unutterable 
love, and leaving behind you desolate homes and break- 
ing hearts, your own heart bleeding at every pore, you 



OF THE CIVIL WAR 241 

for the first time went forth to the fields of war. It may 
be that they are of the time when the march was weary 
and long, beneath a scorching southern sun, or through 
storm and darkness, and when the luxury of repose, 
even for a brief period and upon the hard earth, was 
necessarily denied you. Perchance they are of the time 
that you ministered, oh ! so tenderly, to your comrade 
when disease was upon him and he lay prostrate and 
helpless, racked with pain or scorched with fever, and 
no gentle hand or loving voice of sister, mother or wife 
could be felt or heard to alleviate his sufferings or soothe 
his fevered brain. Perchance these memories are of the 
hour when the fierce conflict raged, when the air was 
filled with the iron messengers of destruction tearing 
through your ranks, and when the brave, the good, and 
the true died that a nation might live; or it may be that 
they are of the time when the rebellion had been crushed 
and the nation was saved, and amid the plaudits of a 
grateful people (to use from memor}^ the language of 
another ) , "the mustering-out order came and you turned 
your faces northward, and marched, with joy unspeak- 
able, to the music of "Home, Sweet Home !" ' 

"These and kindred memories are awakened by this 
glad reunion of comrades who have been long separated, 
and they serve greatly to enhance the interest of the oc- 
casion. 

"But as we mingle here in affectionate intercourse, 
and live over in memory the stirring scenes through 
which we have passed, we can not forget that there are 
many vacant places in our ranks today ! They who once 
filled them can answer no more at our roll calls! We 
shall meet them no more on earth, for 'The silver cord is 
loosed and the golden bowl is broken !' They fell before 
'the pestilence which walketh in darkness and the de- 
struction which wasteth at noonday.' Their lives ebbed 



242 REMINISCENCES 

out on the battlefield, or wasted away in camp and hos- 
pital, from wounds or by the ravages of disease. 

" 'They sleep their last sleep, they have fought their last 

battle, 
No sound shall awake them to glory again.' 

"With drums muffled and arms reversed, with slow 
and measured steps, with saddened hearts and tearful 
eyes, we followed their lifeless remains to their last rest- 
ing places and tenderly laid them there to await the 
resurrection morning. 

" 'Our bayonets earthward were turning. 

And the drums' muffled notes beat around. 

But they heard not the voice of our mourning, 
Nor awoke to the bugle's sound.' 

"Brave, heroic men ! Although life was sweet to 
you, and your hearts were filled with bright anticipa- 
tions of the future, yet with a sublime patriotism you 
freely gave your lives to your country. The tree of lib- 
erty has been fertilized and made vigorous with your 
blood ! Your memories shall be cherished, revered and 
blessed for evermore! 

"Surely, while life and sensibility remain to us we 
shall not fail to render heartfelt tributes of affection to 
the memory of these, our fallen comrades. 

"Nor would we forget those of our number who 
survived the perils of the war but have since passefl 
away. Within a few days one of these, a good and faith- 
ful soldier and a true friend, was suddenly called from 
our midst. As the years roll on, one after another of our 
number will also receive the final discharge. But the 
remnant of our company will meet year after year, as we 
meet today, and will not forget their dead. The ranks 



OP THE CIVIL WAR 243 

will be thinned, and the lapse of years will silver the 
hair and palsy with age the bodies of the survivors ; yet 
shall there be in the hearts of each a tender cord that 
shall sweetly vibrate with deep and pure affection for 
the loved and the earthly lost of our little band ! 

"Let us now turn from the dead to the living. Few 
more sublime scenes were over witnessed upon earth 
than that of the mighty uprising of the loyal American 
people in 1861, to preserve our Government and with it 
the institution of freedom. With slight exceptions this 
nation had enjoyed profound peace for almost fifty 
years. Industry and enterprise were reaping rich re- 
wards. Commerce, science and art were rapidly extend- 
ing their benign influences. Education was becoming 
more and more general. Every element of a lofty civi- 
lization was in active operation. Outside of the accursed 
influence of slavery, individual freedom, social, political 
and religous, was respected and secured. The rule of the 
Government was so mild and so parental, interfering so 
slightly with us, that practically we scarcely realized 
that we had a national Government ; and we had come to 
believe that institutions fraught with so many blessings 
and under which we had grown to be a great, prosper- 
ous and happy nation were in no danger of being as- 
sailed, much less destroyed. But we were most griev- 
ously mistaken. 

"Suddenly, and as unexpectedly as a peal of thun- 
der from an unclouded sky, there burst upon the country 
the startling intelligence that a gigantic rebellion, hav- 
ing for its object the overthrow of our Government, had 
been inaugurated, and that armed traitors were seizing 
our forts, arsenals and munitions of war, which other 
perjured traitors had wilfully left undefended or placed 
within their reach. At first the loyal American people 
were stunned, almost overwhelmed with astonishment. 
Immediately came the call of President Lincoln for 75,- 



244 REMINISCENCES 

000 volunteers for three months. Thousands in excess 
of that number, among them many of you, tendered their 
services to the Government and were not accepted. We 
all earnestly hoped and believed that the storm would 
soon abate. Soon after the first call, another was made 
for 300,000 volunteers to serve for three years, or during 
the war. In response to that call, and after the disaster 
at Bull Run had made is quite apparent that a long and 
bloody contest was before us, the most of you volun- 
teered as soldiers in the army of the Union, and from 
thenceforth for four long, weary years, and until the 
rebellion was utterly crushed out and the dear old flag 
waved triumphantly over every State, you bore an hon- 
orable part in the great contest for the preservation and 
perpetuity of the Union. 

"It is not my purpose today to speak in detail of 
your services, or to recount your exploits. These are 
written in imperishable characters upon the pages of 
your country's history. Suffice it now to say that a lofty 
patriotism, a burning love of country, was the moving 
power that sent you to the tented field and that renewed 
your hearts and strengthened your arms to meet every 
demand upon you, giving you patience and fortitude in 
times of privation and suffering, and matchless courage 
in hours when danger and death surround you. 

"Many of 3'ou came forth from the fiery furnac e of 
war unharmed in body, for which I devoutly thank God ; 
and some of you carry upon your persons the wounds 
which you received in the conflict. Permit me to say to 
you who are still suffering from the effects of wounds 
thus received, you have in your sufferings our deepest 
and most heartfelt sympathy. We pray earnestly for 
your entire restoration, and we commend you to the 
loyal and true as men worthy of the rewards to which 
those are entitled who in the cause of their country have 
received the stern baptism of blood and fire. 



OF THE CIVIL WAR 245 

"Before the expiration of your term of enlistment 
it became apparent that the war would continue beyond 
such term, and the Government made an appeal to you 
to remain longer in the service. You had become vet- 
eran warriors, and the continued service of large num- 
bers of these seemed almost indispensable to the success 
of our arms. You had served faithfully and well for 
nearly three years. At the close of your term of enlist- 
ment you could have retired from the service without 
any danger of imputation upon your character as sol- 
diers, and without any violation of your duty to your 
country. And then, too, your souls hungered and 
thirsted for all of those sweet sympathies and tender en- 
dearments of home and family and friends, of which you 
had been deprived so long. These had been the burden 
of your thoughts by day and of your dreams by night, 
through all those years of waiting. And yet, stifling 
these strong heart-yearnings, many of you, all, doubtless, 
who could consistently do so, responded gallantly to 
that call, and re-enlisted as veterans for an additional 
term of years. Thrice glorious is that page of history 
upon which is recorded the story of such heroic, self- 
sacrificing devotion to country ! 

"I must now be pardoned if I make a few remarks 
personal to myself. When in September, 1861, we or- 
ganized Company K at Racine, you selected me as your 
commanding officer. I occupied that position one year, 
when I was assigned to another field of duty, after 
which I saw you no more as a company. The first year 
of his service is certainly the most trying in many 
respects in a soldier's experience. But during the time 
I was thus associated with you I received invariably 
from each member of the company the most kind and 
considerate treatment and every reasonable evidence of 
your respect and affection. I regard that year of service 
as the most memorable year of my life crowded as it was 



246 REMINISCENCES 

with events never to be forgotten. I parted from you 
with emotions of profound sorrow and I watched your 
future career with intense interest, rejoicing with you 
in spirit in your successes and sorrowing with you in 
your afflictions. I never again expect to be associated 
with a body of men on earth that I love more deeply; 
and I shall carry with me to my grave a grateful re- 
membrance of all your kindness. From the depths of 
my heart I thank you and honor you. 

"As the war approached its conclusion and our 
armies were about to be disbanded great apprehension 
was felt and expressed that by reason of their long ser- 
vice in the field our soldiers had become unfitted for the 
pursuits of peace and good men trembled for the effect 
upon society of this supposed demoralization. This 
fear was not an unreasonable one, because disastrous re- 
sults had always before followed the disbanding of large 
armies. But the army was disbanded, and behold, to the 
astonishment of men the soldiers quietly resumed their 
places in the ranks of civil life and became at once indus- 
trious, honored and useful citizens. There was no fric- 
tion, no demoralization, no letting down of the standard 
of public or private morals. The reasons for this are 
quite apparent, and I will briefiy discuss them here. 
After the close of the war I had the honor to be selected 
to return to the soldiers of Wisconsin the banners which 
they carried through the war. That duty was performed 
at Madison July 4, 1866, and in some remarks there sub- 
mitted I discussed this subject more at length than 
would be proper here. 

"Suffice it to say that the reasons for this wonderful 
fact are to be found : first, in the character of the Amer- 
ican soldiers, and second, in the nature of the influences 
which surrounded them. Our soldiers were fighting to 
preserve the Government, and for the preservation and 
extension of civil liberty. They were men of intelligence 



OF THE CIVIL WAR 247 

and culture, and the nature of the contest in which they 
were engaged led them to reflect deeply upon the duties 
and obligations of the citizen to the Government and to 
society, in peace as well as in war. Obeying the require- 
ments of those duties and obligations in war, at the risk 
of everything they held dear, was it strange that they 
should also obey them in peace, and thus become at once 
good citizens? 

"Again, the soldiers were constantly kept within 
the reach of home influences, iSJever before was there so 
deep an interest taken in the welfare of an army by any 
nation or people. The whole country abounded in 
agencies and efforts having for their object the comfort 
and improvement of the soldiers. Amongst these were 
the Sanitary and Christian Commissions, most benefi- 
cent organizations, with the operations of which you are 
all familiar. Delicate women gave their time to nursing 
the sick, the mails came to the army loaded with kindly 
messages of love and encouragement, home bounty in 
thousands of cases cheerfully relieved the wants of 
those destitute families whom the war deprived of their 
natural protectors. The hearts of the people were with 
the army and their constant prayers ascended to heaven 
for the welfare of the soldiers and the success of our 
arms. 

"Surrounded by such restraining and purifying in- 
fluences, our soldiers in the field were as safe from de- 
moralization as though they had remained in their quiet 
and peaceful homes. 

"Citizens: You who for the love of country sent 
forth your dear ones to the fields of war, you who con- 
tributed of your substance to alleviate the sufferings or 
promote the comfort of the soldiers of the Union, or to 
aid their families at home when in need, you who spoke 
or sent to your country's defenders words of greeting 
aii<l <if sympathy, you who with tender hands nursed 



248 REMINISCENCES 

them when they were stricken down with wounds or by 
disease, you who offered fervent prayers to heaven for 
their safety and success, can rejoice today that you con- 
tributed to this grand result. 

"Comrades of Company K : Having testified in the 
presence of this people of your fidelity in war and peace 
to the obligations of American citizenship, I must hasten 
to a conclusion. These institutions of freedom are of 
priceless value. They are the hope and joy of the world. 
Struggling, oppressed and down-trodden humanity 
everywhere hail them with delight, and watch and wait 
for the time, and pray that it may speedily come, when 
their glory shall fill the earth. It is our high duty to 
see to it that these institutions are maintained inviolate. 
'Eternal vigilence is the price of liberty.' You were 
faithful sentinels when perhaps the safety of armies de- 
pended upon your fidelity. Be you also faithful senti- 
nels upon the watch-towers of freedom ! Exert all the 
powers and influence which God has given you to the 
preservation of that for which you fought, and which we 
now enjoy, to the end that our children and our chil- 
dren's children to the remotest generation may enjoy 
the same rich blessings; and to the end also that by 
force of our example all kings and princes and rulers of 
men in all the earth shall be constrained to acknowledge 
and practice the sublime truths that, 'All men are equal 
before the law,' and that every man upon this broad foot- 
stool of God, however lowly his condition, is entitled to 
'life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.' 

"Comrades: Our pleasant reunion draws to its 
close. We must soon separate, but we do so in the joyful 
hope that this separation will be only for a season, and 
that many delightful reunions await us in the future. 
IVIay the God of our fathers bless you and help you and 
make all your future lives useful, prosperous and 
happy !" 



OF THE CIVIL WAR 



249 



IN MEMORIAM. 

Oration Delivered at Oakhill Cemetery, Junesvillc, W'ih- 

consm. 




have sometimeis doubted the propriety 
of devoting to the delivery of ad- 
dresses any portion of tlie time occu- 
pied in these memorial services, which 
are so appropriately held each year 
throughout the country over the 
graves of our dead soldiers. There 
are conditions of mind that are far 
better expressed by silence than by 
words; there are emotions of the heart too deep for 
utterance. In the first light of a great joy, or in the 
first darkness of a great grief, the heart turns within 
itself to revel in its happiness undisturbed or to suffer 
its affliction in silence and alone. But after the first 
emotions, whether of pleasure or pain, have passed, and 
we come to contemplate more calmly the event that has 
brightened or saddened our lives, we naturally seek the 
congratulations or sympathy of others and derive a 
satisfaction in giving utterance to our surcharged feel- 
ings. 

"This may be our state of mind today. When these 
brave men whose services we are here to commemorate, 
fell in the defense of the nation, whether on the field of 
battle, or in prison or hospital, you bowed your heads 
and wept. You thought of their sacrifices, of their suf- 
ferings, and of their untimely death. You knew that no 
mother, sister, or wife, was there to wipe the cold death- 
damp from the brow, or to whisper in the ear of the 
dying hero those words of love that are so precious to 
one just entering the dark Valley of the Shadow of 



250 REMINISCENCES 

Death. And if the blow fell not upon your own immedi- 
ate circle (and oh, how few escaped!), you thought of 
the desolated homes of others less fortunate, and of the 
hearts crushed with anguish, from which the light and 
joy and beauty had gone forever. Oh, how feeble and 
impotent were mere words to give utterance to all you 
felt! For such feelings there was no appropriate ex- 
pression but that of deepest silence. 

"But since these memorable experiences years have 
elapsed. Time, which in the good providence of God is 
ordained to assuage the bitterest anguish — else life 
would be unendurable to most of us— time has softened 
the keenness of the pangs we then endured, and we can 
now with a degree of composure speak to each other of 
our irreparable loss. Indeed, we can stand, as it were, 
in the immediate presence of our honored dead, and 
while our feet press reverently the green sod beneath 
which they repose, we may derive a mournful satisfac- 
tion in recounting the story of their deeds — how 
promptly they responded to the calls of a lofty patri- 
otism, to do which they were required to tear asunder 
the dearest earthly ties — how faithfully and unselfishly 
they performed their ceaseless round of duty — and how 
fearlessly, even cheerfully, they made the last great 
sacrifice. 

"Whether we regard the nature of the sacrifice or 
the cause in which it was made, the men who gave their 
lives to the country in our late terrible struggle for 
national existence are entitled to the everlasting grati- 
tude not only of every American citizen but of every 
lover of liberty throughout the world. These men died 
for the cause of civil and religious liberty. They died to 
vindicate the capacity for and right of man to self-gov- 
ernment. In the words of our late lamented President, 
Mr. Lincoln, 'They died that government of the people, 
by the people, and for the people, shall not perish from 



OF THE CIVIL WAR 251 

the earth.' In what nobler cause could a man lay down 
his life? He who dies for the cause of human libertj^ 
dies for the cause of justice, of humanity, of religion ; for 
all these depend greatly upon the existence of national 
and individual freedom. 

"And then what shall we say of the magnitude of 
the sacrifice? Say what we will, moralize upon it as we 
may, death is a most momentous event. To bid adieu 
to earth, to close our eyes upon all its scenes of beauty, 
to surrender its pursuits, its cherished hopes, its sweet 
affections, and all that makes life so pleasant and joyful 
— thoughts of these fill the hearts of the purest and best, 
at times, with dark apprehensions. To solve the dread 
mystery of death — to go forth upon that journey from 
which we may return no more — to approach the portals 
of the untried future world of which we hear so much, 
and of which, save by the power of a lively faith, we 
know so little, may well appall the stoutest heart. The 
sacred influences of divine grace may cheer and encour- 
age us, and give us fortitude to meet our inevitable des- 
tiny with composure ; but how seldom do poor imperfect 
mortals rise to that plane of Christian faith which en- 
ables them fearlessly to exclaim, 'O Death, where is thy 
sting? O Grave, where is thy victory?' 

"It is because this is true that in all ages of the 
world the highest honors have been paid by the living 
to the memories of those who have given their lives for 
the good of our race — of those who have died to vindicate 
some great principle. The martyrs in every good cause 
have sooner or later received the applause and veneration 
of the world. The men and women who for their love of 
Christ were in former ages thrown to wild beasts, or 
swung upon the gibbet, or burned at the stake, were not 
more truly martyrs than were those who gave their lives 
for the salvation of our country and the preservation of 
liberty. And when, throughout this broad land, thou- 



252 REMINISCENCES 

sauds of our people assemble on the appointed day in the 
silent cities of the deiid and tenderly strew the first 
tiowers of the glad springtime upon the graves of our 
martyred heroes, they but obey a most natural and yet 
a most exalted impulse of the human heart. 

"We must not forget that nearly all of those whose 
heroic deeds we this day commemorate died in the morn- 
ing of their lives. When they went forth from our midst 
to face the wild storm of war, their cheeks were flushed 
with health, their eyes sparkled with love and hope and 
bright anticipations for the future, their hearts 
throbbed with pure and holy aft'ections. How beautiful, 
how full of peace and gladness did life appear to them ! 
Its purest, richest, best treasures seemed within their 
reach, and they doubted not their ability to stretch forth 
tlieir hands and gather them and be happy. No fears of 
disappointed hopes and crushed aft'ections came to mar 
the beauty of that joyous, glorious future which their 
ardent imaginations had pictured, for they had not been 
called upon to endure the sorrows and disappointments 
which in later years are so prone to cast their dark 
shadows upon our hearts and wean our affections from 
(^his perishing earth. To them their future pathway 
seemed to be strewed with flowers as bright as those 
which loving hands are this day scattering upon their 
graves. 

"Blessed be God for the buoyancy, the trusting 
faith, the lofty purpose, and the pure and holy impulses 
of youth ! These are oases to which the weary, heart-sick 
traveler over the desert of life may turn and be refreshed. 
But when the dark hours came, when Treason lifted its 
head and sought the nation's life, and when it became 
apparent that the tree of liberty must again be fertilized 
with human blood, or else wither and die, the effect upon 
our young men was most wonderful. They were equal 
to the exigencies of the occasion. From farm and shop 



OF THE CIVIL WAR 258 

and office, from the halls of learning and from the sacred 
desk — from every calling and pursuit in life^ — they ral- 
lied to their country's standard, ready to endure toil, 
peril, and if need be death, that the nation might live. 
The strong ties of affection, the cherished hopes and 
plans of life, the grim presence in their path of 'The 
pestilence which walketh in darkness and the destruc- 
tion which wasteth at noon-day' — all these were power- 
less to keep them from the post of duty and danger. 
This sentiment of patriotism was no transient emotion 
in their breasts. It was a deep, all-pervading, enduring 
principle. It made them self-sacrificing, faithful, 
brave, and yet kind and tender. In ai word, it developed 
them into the full stature of heroes and rendered them 
invincible. 

"I have just alluded to one characteristic of a true 
soldier upon which I love to speak. I said he was kind 
and tender. Those of you who saw something of our 
armies in the field understand this full well. Some of 
you have seen him in every phase of a soldier's trying 
life. You have seen him voluntarily and cheerfully take 
the place of a disabled brother soldier on the lonely and 
perilous outpost in the immediate presence of the enemy, 
dnd there, through hours of darkness and tempest, faith- 
fully keep the ceaseless vigils of liberty. You have wit- 
nessed his self-sacrificing, generous spirit manifested in 
a thousand ways. You saw him nursing his sick com- 
rade with all the ineffable tenderness of women, and 
you have seen him shed scalding tears when some loved 
one fell. Oh, how precious are the tears of a soldier 
over his dead comrade ! They show that a tender, loving 
heart is compatible with the highest courage. So sang 
some sweet poet long ago in words familiar to all : 

" 'Go, watch the foremost rank in battle's wild career ; 
Be sure the hand most daring there has wiped away a 
tear/ 



L'51 KEMINIHCENCES 

"Such were the men whose grand achievements and 
sublime patriotism we this day commemorate. Standing 
here in this quiet, lovely retreat, set apart for the final 
resting place of your loved ones, after 'The silver cord is 
loosed and the golden bowl is broken' — with the bright 
sunlight of heaven upon us and all nature rejoicing in 
the smile of its Creator, with this strange blending of 
both sweet and mournful influences upon us, standing 
here upon this thrice hallowed spot, in the mystical 
l)resence of our dead heroes, and remembering their pat- 
riotism and sacrifices for us and our children, our hearts 
would be cold indeed did we not experience in some de- 
gree the emotions which stirred the heart of Israel's great 
lawgiver when the mysterious voice said to him from 
the midst of the burning bush, 'Put off thy shoes from 
off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy 
ground.' 

"But our gratitude is not confined to those of our 
martyred sons who rest so peacefully here. Our hearts 
expand to include all who fell in the Nation's defense, 
wherever their lifeless forms may repose. These are not 
all gathered where a grateful people may stand by their 
graves and scatter these beautiful tokens of remem- 
brance over them. In thousands they sleep where they 
fell, and sorrowing friends may never know the place. 
This sad thought is not without its consolations. There 
is, after all, a propriety in burying a fallen soldier upon 
the field from which amid the tumult and carnage and 
wild scenes of battle his heroic spirit ascended to (lod. 
Who has not felt the force of this thought when he has 
read the sad and touching story of the burial of Sir 
John Moore! 

" 'We finished our task, and left him alone 
On the field of his fame fresh and gory ; 

We carved not a line, we raised not a stone. 
But left him alone in his glory.' 



OP THE CIVIL WAR 255 

"Although we may not literally scatter flowers upon 
those unknown graves, yet will we do so in spirit ; and 
the honors which we here pay to our dead shall be the 
emblem and symbol of the gratitude we cherish for every 
fallen Union soldier, wherever his final resting place 
may be. In this enlarged spirit let this pious observance 
be continued through the years as they come and go, 
and let us never weary in rendering due honors to the 
memories of our illustrious dead. 

" 'Bring flowers, bright flowers, o'er their graves to shed, 
Fit crowns for the brows of our gallant dead.' 

"Turn we now for a few moments to the considera- 
tion of another but kindred theme. My duty would be 
but poorly and imperfectly performed did I fail to speak 
of our obligations to the living. The dead are at rest, but 
the living, who have been bereft of their stay and sup- 
port, have yet to suffer and mourn. Upon the brave 
hearts and strong arms of these men, aged parents, lov- 
ing wives, and helpless children leaned and relied. The 
strong arms are nerveless, the brave hearts have ceased 
to beat, and parent, wife and child are treading the dark 
pathway of life in sorrow and alone. They need our 
warmest sympathy ; many of them need material aid. It 
is our duty and our high privilege to give them both. 
They have suffered much. When their loved ones went 
forth to the rough fields of war, the anguish of parting 
was almost unendurable; but who shall tell the depth 
of agony that overwhelmed them when the tidings came 
that the son, or husband, or father had fallen? Words 
can not express it. None but those whose hearts have 
been suddenly crushed by some terrible blow can ever ap- 
preciate it. There are doubtless thousands of widows 
and helpless children in our land today made such by 
the cruel fortunes of war, who, in addition to all this 



256 REMINISCENOESi 

mental suffering, are living in straightened circum- 
stances, if they do not actually suffer for the necessaries 
of life. The Governments, both national and State, have 
done much to relieve this class — all, perhaps, that it is 
practicable for them to do — and yet many meritorious 
cases are unrelieved. I do not know that there are any 
such in this community. If there are, those unfortunate 
persons are entitled to your free and liberal aid. You 
can not entirely lift from their hearts the burden of 
their great sorrow, but you may lighten that burden 
by ministering of your abundance to their necessities. 
If you will feed them and clothe them, and, as you have 
opportunity, by kindly offices bind up their broken 
spirits, there shall fall upon your ear and heart in tones 
more ravishing than strains of sweetest music, the 
divine assurance, ^Inasmuch as ye did it unto these help- 
less, sorrowing ones, ye did it unto me.' 

"We shall now perform the pious rites for which 
we assembled, and then we go forth from this sacred 
place to the earnest struggles and unceasing duties of 
life. But the dead, to whom we pay these tributes of 
gratitude and affection, go not with us. Their bodies 
rest peacefully here awaiting the resurrection morning. 
They shall stand no more by our side on earth to encour- 
age or to console us. With the returning seasons the 
grass shall grow and the flowers of summer shall bloom 
upon their graves, and the winter snows shall cover 
them, and the night wind as it sighs low and plaintively 
above them shall breathe sadly a dirge and requiem for 
the dead. Their work is done, ours is not ; and we who 
stand here today will have failed to catch the true in- 
spiration of the occasion if we go not hence with high 
resolve that from henceforth in the gTeat battle of life 
we will shrink from no necessary toil, or danger, or sac- 
rifice, but that like these heroic men we will obey the call 
of duty wherever it may lead us. The highest tribute 



OF THE CIVIL WAR 257 

we can pay to the memorj^ of those who died for our 
country — who died for us^ — is to show by lives devoted to 
the good of our fellow men, by earnest endeavor to make 
the world better and happier because we have lived in 
it, that their example of lofty self-sacrifice has not been 
lost upon us. Let us rise to the height of the great argu- 
ment. In the beautiful language of our own illustrious 
Bryant, let us 

" 'So live, that when our summons comes to join 
The innumerable caravan, which moves 
To that mysterious realm, where each shall take 
His chamber in the silent halls of death, 
We go not, like the quarry-slave at night, 
Scourged to his dungeon, but, sustained and soothed 
By an unfaltering trust, approach the grave 
Like one who wraps the drapery of his couch 
About him, and lies down to pleasant dreams.' 

"Our theme stirs our hearts, and we love to linger 
here and think and speak of the dead. But we must for- 
bear. The lengthening shadows will soon admonish us 
that our exercises must close. 

"And now, ye patriot mart^^rs, you may not hear our 
words of gratitude, or understand our emotions as we 
perform these affectionate rites over your earthly rest- 
ing places; and yet, perhaps you are cognizant of them 
all. It accords with our feelings today to believe that 
even now your spirits walk the fields of Paradise in the 
vigor and glory of immortal youth and in the full enjoy- 
ment of the rewards which must await those who do 
their duty on earth. We may not know this certainly, 
yet our yearning hearts irill ask : 

" 'Where is your dwelling, ye sainted? 
Through what Elysium more bright 
Than fancy or hope ever painted. 
Walk ye in glory and light?' 



258 REMINISCENCES 

"But whether ye hear us or not, we will cherish the 
memory of your achievements; still will we remember 
you when we behold the victories of that peace which 
you helped to purchase with your blood, the growth of 
liberty, the increase of knowledge and of happiness ; the 
rising, spreading glories of the land you died to save. 
Still will we render our tearful tribute to your mem- 
ories; and if wicked men shall again menace with de- 
struction our cherished institutions of freedom, we will 
come here to learn anew the lessons of patriotic duty, 
and in the august presence of heroes once more with 
voice and heart will we pledge life and everything which 
we hold most dear on earth to the cause for which you 
died — the cause of truth, of justice, and of liberty." 




OF THE CIVIL WAR 



259 



Oration Delivered at Waterford, Racine County, Wis- 
consin, July 4:th, 1859. 




n this beautiful islet, and in this peace- 
ful 'Temple of the Firmament,' we 
assemble today, in obedience to a time- 
honored custom, to commemorate the 
day and the event from which we date 
our existence as a free and indepen- 
dent nation. 

"Eighty-three years ago this day, 
in the quiet, peaceful city of Philadel- 
phia, in the old Independence Hall, a scene was enacted 
which was destined to exert upon the interests of the 
world, and upon the happiness of mankind, a more im- 
portant influence for good than any other event which 
had transpired since the crucifixion and resurrection of 
the Savior. 

"The actors in this great event were the delegates of 
the thirteen American Colonies in the Continental Con- 
gress there assembled — the event itself was the promul- 
gation by that Congress of the Declaration of American 
Independence. 

"It is almost impossible for us at this period of time 
fully to appreciate the sublime heroism of these men in 
thus boldly sending forth to the world this great declara- 
tion of their rights, and of the rights of humanity. The 
act itself was treason. In case of failure, the conse- 
quences to them and to all who should take up arms in 
support of the principles by them enunciated would be 
appalling indeed. By all the rules for estimating the 
chances of the contest, the failure and defeat of the col- 
onists seemed almost certain. They were few in num- 
bers — sparsely scattered over an immense territory — 
without arms, without munitions of war; exhausted and 



260 REMINISCENCES 

impoverished by bloody, harrassing and expensive In- 
dian wars, the chief burden of which tlie mother country 
had compelled the colonies to bear ; a hostile, savage foe, 
infuriated by recent defeats and losses suffered at the 
hands of the colonists, thronged their frontiers and 
thirsted for their blood. They had no navy and no forti- 
fications, they were without money and without credit — 
and, in a word, they were almost entirely destitute of 
every mere physical element of success. 

On the other hand, the mother country abounded in all 
these. She had immense armies and fleets, and vast, 
boundless resources. She was in possession, by the oc- 
cupancy of her fleets and armies, of all of the fortifica- 
tions and strongholds upon this continent. She was en- 
gaged in no other war of magnitude at that time, to 
divert her attention or divide her forces. She was in 
the very zenith of her power and her infiuence among 
the nations of the earth. As has been most eloquently 
and truthfully said of her at that period, 'She was rich 
in arts and in arms, the roll of her morning drum-beat 
encircled the earth, and upon her dominions the sun 
never set.' 

"Yet, notwithstanding this frightful disparity in 
physical resources^ — notwithstanding that to all human 
appearance the colonies must be crushed in the ap- 
proaching contest, these heroes faltered not. They knew 
that the colonies had been denied their just rights and 
had been oppressed and down-trodden by the mother 
country. They knew that their most sacred rights had 
been invaded and destroyed, and they saw no hope in 
the future that their grievances would be voluntarily 
redressed. Their motto was, 'It is better to die free men 
than to live slaves,' and they hesitated not to act. To 
them the path of duty was plain; and although it was 
the path of danger, perhaps of death, they never faltered 
in the pursuit of their purpose. Appealing to the Su- 



OF THE CIVIL WAR 261 

preme Judge of the world for the rectitude of their in- 
tentions, and relying with a sincere faith upon the pro- 
tection of Divine Providence, and pledging each to the 
other, 'life, fortune and sacred honor,' in its support, 
they sent forth to the world the glorious Declaration of 
American Independence — and thus inaugurated the 
American Revolution. 

"It would be a pleasing task today to trace the his- 
tory of that revolution ; to dwell upon the heroism, the 
fortitude, the unyielding firmness of purpose, the deep 
devotion to the principles of liberty, the firm reliance 
upon the justice of their cause and the protection of the 
Almighty, displayed by our forefathers in that mem- 
orable contest. Did not other themes of more pressing, 
practical importance to us claim our attention today, I 
should delight to roam, for the brief period alloted me, 
in these interesting historical fields ; to recall to mind the 
noble heroism of the men and women of the Revolution ; 
to speak of their labors, their sacrifices, and their suf- 
ferings, and the glorious results which their valor and 
wisdom achieved. I leave these delightful themes re- 
luctantly, lingering only to say that the brave actors in 
the stirring and momentous scenes of the Revolution 
have nearly all passed away. 'The places that once knew 
them shall know them no more forever.' There are doubt- 
less those within the sound of my voice today who never 
have met, and who never will meet this side of heaven, 
a soldier of the Revolution. The men who fought for 
liberty and the rights of men at Lexington and Bunker 
Hill, at Saratoga, Bennington and Yorktown, at Brandy- 
wine, at Guilford, at Eutaw Springs and at Camden, 
and upon all the other memorable battlefields of the 
Revolution, whether amid the frosts and snows of the 
North or in the swamps and everglades of the South, 
have been gathered to their fathers. 



262 REMINISCENCES 

" 'They sleep their last sleep, they have fought their last 

battle; 
No sound shall awake them to glory again.' 

"But they live in the gratitude of their countrymen 
and of the friends of liberty throughout the earth, who 
will with one accord acknowledge that whatever of 
superior civil and religious liberty we enjoy, whatever of 
the elements of power and greatness we possess as a 
nation, whatever of influence for good our free institu- 
tions have exerted and are exerting upon the destinies 
of mankind, we owe it all to them. And so long as lofty 
virtue and heroic deeds excite the admiration, and the 
love of liberty inspires the hearts of men, so long will 
the memory of these heroes be cherished and loved by 
the good and the true of every land through all the ages 
to come. 

"I pass to another and I fear to a less interesting 
theme. The great leading ideas of the Declaration of 
Independence are the perfect freedom and equality of all 
men, and that the true functions of human governments 
are to protect and to preserve that freedom and that 
equality; or, in other words, that governments were 
made for the citizens and not the citizens for the govern- 
ment. To us these ideas are truisms. They were not 
such in the days of the Revolution. The world at that 
time was imbued with monarchical sentiments and opin- 
ions, one of which was that the sovereign and not the 
people was the source of all power. It is true that some 
nations enjoyed greater privileges than others, but these 
privileges were regarded as concessions or fa(vors 
granted by the sovereign to the people by the voluntary 
act of the sovereign, or obtained from him by coercion 
and force, and were never regarded as rights inherent 
in the people. 



OF THE CIVIL WAR 263 

"The famous Magna (Jharta, the pride and boast of 
the English nation, was extorted by the barons from a 
reluctant monarch at the point of the sword, and none 
of them claimed or supposed when they were securing 
the important rights guaranteed by that instrument, 
that they were but reclaiming rights originally inherent 
in the people, which had been usurped by the sovereign. 

"Again, even in constitutional governments like 
England, the idea of the political equality of all men 
had never been entertained. If rights had been conceded 
by the sovereign, or wrested from him by force, they 
were conceded only to, or enured only to the benefit of 
certain privileged classes, the great mass of the subjects 
deriving no benefit therefrom. These were mere ap- 
pendages of the State, not an integral portion of it. 
Their rights as men were but imperfectly recognized, if 
at all. They were but the mere instruments of the State 
to sustain and uphold its power, without any admitted 
claim upon it for the enjoyment of any rights as men. 
This was the condition of the masses, and these were the 
sentiments and opinions which had long ruled the world 
when the Declaration of American Independence was 
first promulgated. 

"The individuality of man, his rights as such, being 
almost entirely unrecognized, the sovereign or the State 
was the absolute lord — the people, the abject subjects; 
and all grants of privileges, even to privileged classes, 
were conceded as favors — never yielded as rights. 

"It was in such ideas as these that the doctrine of 
the absolute power of the State over the subject took 
deep root and flourished — and the universal prevalence 
of these ideas was the great source of all the wrongs and 
oppressions which the world had so long endured, and 
under which humanity had so long groaned. 

"It is true that men had lived who saw and realized 
that these prevalent doctrines were fatal errors, and de- 



264 KEMINISCENCES 

plored the consequences of them; but it remained for 
the fathers of the Revolution to make the first successful 
application in the administration of human affairs of 
the sublime principles that all men were created free 
and equal; that be he high or low, rich or poor, each 
individual is entitled to life, liberty and the pursuit of 
happiness; that these sacred rights were inalienable, 
and when a government failed to guarantee and protect 
them, it became not only the right but the duty of the 
people to abolish that government and establish in place 
thereof one which would afford such protection. They 
say: 

" 'We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all 
men are created equal ; that they are endowed by their 
Creator with certain inalienable rights; that among 
these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness; that 
to secure these rights governments were instituted 
among men, deriving their just powers from the consent 
of the governed ; and that whenever any form of govern- 
ment becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of 
the people to alter or to abolish it and to institute a new 
government, laying its foundation on such principles, 
and organizing its powers in such form as to them shall 
seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness.' 
And again, 'When a long train of abuses and usurpa- 
tions, pursuing invariably the same object, evinces a de- 
sign to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their 
right, it i-s' their duty, to throw off such government and 
to provide new guards for their future security.' 

"The assertion of these principles was the grand 
distinctive feature of the American Revolution, as the 
triumph of them was its chief glory and value. It was a 
mighty stride in the science of government, the equal of 
which the world never before saw. 

"But these great principles, before they became per- 
manently established, must pass another ordeal. True, 



OF THE CIVIL WAR 265 

they had been promulgated in the Declaration of Inde- 
pendence, and the battles of the Revolution had been 
fought, and the blood of patriots shed, to establish and 
to confirm them. But how was a government to be or- 
ganized and set in motion, established and made perma- 
nent, that should make secure to the people these great 
principles of equal rights and of individual freedom? 
How accomplish these, and at the same time preserve the 
sovereignty of the independent States and secure the 
proper strength and efficienc}^ of the general govern- 
ment? How should conflicting views and opinions be 
reconciled and conflicting interests harmonized, so that 
every element of discord should be hushed and a gov- 
ernment reared — compact, simple, strong, permanent, 
and yet free — a government that should fully realize the 
hopes, the grand ideal of its founders? These were grave 
questions, and full of diflflculties; but the course of 
events had paved the way for their successful solution. 

"Struggling in a common cause, engaged in the 
pursuit of a common object, enduring together common 
privations and common sufferings, through the changing 
fortunes of a long and perilous war, the people of all the 
colonies had formed for each other the warmest attach- 
ments and had learned to cherish for each other the 
most profound fraternal feelings. They who at the 
commencement of the Revolution were as strangers to 
each other, widely separated by distance and by inter- 
est, without any of the ties existing between them which 
bind nation to nation, or State to State, were then for 
the first time brought together, and for the first time 
learned that their hearts beat in unison, and that in 
their sublime patriotism and love of liberty they were all 
brothers I From the North and the South, from seaboard 
and frontier they rallied together around the standard 
of their common country. Together they faced danger 
and death, together in the deadly conflict they ofifered 



l'()6 KEMINISCENCES 

lip their lives a willing sacrifice upon the altars of free- 
dom. The same breeze wafted their expiring sighs, and 
the same gory battlefield drank their blood. Together 
they had met and deliberated in council in the darkest 
hours of the contest, and together had they invoked the 
Divine blessing and the Divine protection upon their 
cause. This union of purpose and effort, these fraternal 
feelings that seemed to pervade all hearts throughout 
the length and breadth of the land, tranquilized every 
element of discord and led to a union of the States. 

"Again, the dangers and sacrifices of the struggle 
had led the people to reflect upon and discuss the prin- 
ciples for which they were contending, until the whole 
people were inspired with an unconquerable devotion to 
the cause of liberty. The memorable sentiment of Pat- 
rick Henry, 'Give me liberty or give me death,' was the 
burden of every heart. This deep, all prevailing senti- 
ment of the people enabled our forefathers to frame and 
ado])t a system of government for the States thus 
united, which guaranteed to every citizen liberty and 
(Mjual rights; or, in other words, a system based upon 
the principles enunciated in the Declaration of Inde- 
jK'udence. Thus it was, through the blessing of Divine 
Providence, and prompted by the most exalted patri- 
otism, that our forefathers were enabled to overcome 
every obstacle, to surmount every difficulty, and to es- 
tablish the first really free government that the world 
ever saw — the first government that reserved the sov- 
(n*eign power to the whole people, and guaranteed the 
largest rational liberty and perfect equality of rights to 
each and every citizen. 

"Were any evidence necessary to prove the inestim- 
able value of free institutions in promoting the happi- 
ness and prosperity of a people, that evidence is fur- 
nished abundantly by our own national experience. 



OF THE CIVIL WAK 267 

"Three-fourths of a century is but a brief i)eriod in 
the history of a nation, and yet in that time what 
mighty results have been accomplished! We have al- 
ready glanced at the condition of the colonies at the 
commencement of the Revolution. At its close, in 1783, 
their condition in most of the material elements of pros- 
perity was even worse than at its commencement. They 
were still without resources, and burdened with a heavy 
public debt. They had no commerce, no system of edu- 
cation. Agriculture languished, and the arts of peace 
were neglected; and, superadded to all these, they had 
but just inaugurated a new and untried system of 
government. 

"I will not stop to draw a picture of the present 
condition of the country. I leave that pleasant task to 
my young and eloquent friend who is to follow me. 
Suffice it for me to say that its progress in all the ma- 
terial elements of greatness has been unparalleled in 
the history of nations. This wonderful progress is but 
one development of the value of free institutions. What 
mind, except that of the Omniscient, can comprehend 
fully their influence and their priceless worth! The 
triumph of rational, individual freedom! The recogni- 
tion of man as man and not as a mere tool or instrument 
of the State! The equal rights of all men! Perfect 
liberty of speech, of opinion, of conscience! Who will 
attempt to fathom their value to a nation, to humanity, 
to the world ! Who shall say how greatly the enjoyment 
of these for three- fourths of a century by this people has 
contributed to promote the cause of human progress, or 
how much it has added to the sum of human happiness! 
Who, looking down the long vista of the ages to come, 
though he were gifted with prophetic vision, could form 
even a faint conception of the mighty influences for 
good which the triumph of these principles is yet to 
exert upon the destiny of the human race! 



268 REMINISCENCES 

"Here it would be pleasant to stop, or at least to 
occupy the remainder of the time allotted me in giving 
utterauce to kindred thoughts, or in elaborating those 
already expressed. But he who is chosen to address an 
audience of his countrymen on this sacred day has 
obligations resting upon him which he can not avoid, 
has solemn duties to perform which must not be neg- 
lected. 

"If he knows that any of the great fundamental 
principles of freedom and equality upon which our in- 
stitutions are based are being violated — if he finds that 
the attachment of any portion of the people to those 
principles has become weakened or impaired, it is the 
duty of the orator upon these occasions (as it is the 
duty of every citizen upon all proper occasions) to 
raise the voice of warning, to give the alarm of danger, 
and not to lull to repose. If there is oppression in the 
land, if wrong prevail, if fraud and corruption exist in 
high places, if the God-given, unalienable rights of any 
class be stricken clown, it is his imperative duty (and 
accursed be he who shrinks from it) to denounce to his 
assembled countrymen the wrong and the wrong-doer 
and to call upon his fellow citizens by all the sacred 
memories of the past and all the glorious hopes of the 
future, by their veneration for their fathers and their 
love for their children, by all that is valuable in free- 
dom or ennobling in a patriotic devotion to our country, 
to arise in their might and by the proper use of the all 
iwwerful yet peaceful means within their control, to 
abolish the Avrong and correct the abuse, and to see to 
it that the Government fulfill the purposes for which it 
was organized. 

"The framers of the Constitution declared in the 
preamble to that instrument the objects for which the 
Government was formed. They say : 



OF THE CIVIL WAR 269 



" 'We, the people of the United States, in order to 
form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure 
domestic tranquility, provide for the common defence, 
promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings 
of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and 
establish this Constitution for the United States of 

America.' 

"Does this Government in its practical results come 
up to this high standard? Is justice established and 
liberty fully secured? That the thcorij of our Govern- 
ment is perfect, that in its practical operation we have 
become the most free and prosperous nation that exists 
or that ever has existed, I joyfully admit ; but it becomes 
my duty to say that thus far we come far short of carry- 
ing out fully the beneficent designs of the founders of the 
Government, that we have thus far failed in many 
respects to give practical effect to the principles of free- 
dom laid down and inculcated by the early fathers and 
embodied in the theory of our institutions. 

"We can not, if we would, close our eyes to the sad 
and mournful truth that under the flag of our country, 
and tolerated and sustained by the legislation and 
public sentiment of very many of the States of this 
Union, an institution exists which dooms to hopeless 
servitude millions of our fellow beings; an institution 
which denies to its victims every right dear to humanity ; 
which consigns him to a life of ignorance, degradation 
and servile toil ; which reduces him to the condition of 
a chattel and transfers him like a beast of burden from 
one owner to another by purchase and sale; which de- 
nies him education and social rights; which seals up 
from him the Bible and almost every other fountain of 
consolation and knowledge; which tears his wife from 
his helpless arms and his children from his desolated 
bosom ; which, in a word, renders his whole earthly ex- 
istence one dark scene of desolation and ruin and unut- 



270 KEMINISCENCES 

terable agony ! God forbid that we should this day for- 
get our brethren in bonds. Let us remember, though 
it be with bitter regrets, when the morning of our great 
national anniversary dawns upon us, and is ushered 
in by the ringing of bells and the deep, booming roar 
of cannon, with music and with every other possible 
demonstration of our great joy; when we meet in vil- 
lage, in town, and in city, in thronging multitudes to 
celebrate tlie day and to exult in the consciousness of 
the posst-b&'ion of so much liberty and in the contempla- 
tion of our unexampled prosperity, when every heart is 
jubilant and every bosom burns with the fires of a lofty 
patriotism, O ! let us then remember that to four millions 
of the people of this favored land our returning anniver 
sary brings no emotions of delight, that it fails to allevi- 
ate in the slightest degree their weary round of cease- 
less, hopeless servitude! 

"Listen to the mournful eloquence of one of these 
victims of oppression [Frederick Douglas] upon an 
occasion like this, speaking to us the sentiments of his 
afflicted race. He exclaims : 

" 'I am not included within the pale of this glorious 
anniversary! Your high independence only reveals the 
immeasurable distance between us. The blessings in 
which you this day rejoice are not enjoyed in common. 
The high inheritance of justice, liberty, prosperity and 
independence bequeathed by your fathers is shared by 
you, not by me. The sunlight that brought life and 
healing to you has brought stripes and death to me. 
The Fourth of July is yours, not mine. You may re- 
joice — / must mourn. To drag a man in fetters into 
the grand, illuminated Temple of Liberty, and there call 
him to join you in joyous anthems, were inhuman mock- 
ery and sacrilegious irony.' How appropriate to the 
subject and the occasion was the plaintive language of 
the captive children of Israel, in which language he 



OP THE CIVIL WAR 271 

from whom I have quoted further bewailed the sorrows 
of his people. 

" 'By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, 
yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion. We hanged 
our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof. For 
there they that carried us away captive required of us 
a song; and they that wasted us required of us mirth, 
saying, Sing us one of the songs of Zion. How shall 
we sing the Lord's song in a strange land? And well 
may our sorrowing bondsmen exclaim : 'How shall the 
captive in chains join in the anthems of liberty?' 

"Let it not be said that the introduction of this 
subject gives a partizan character to my remarks. Not 
so. It is a subject above and beyond mere partisan con- 
siderations. It involves the most vital interests of hu- 
manity, of morals, of religion, of liberty itself. It is a 
question that must be boldly met. What time, then, 
more appropriate for its consideration than when, as is 
the case today, the whole nation is in council and the 
cause of human freedom is the subject before it? Al- 
though this giant wrong is in a measure beyond our 
direct influence, still it can be reached and its progress 
checked indirectly, if it can not be entirely eradicated. 
We can bring to bear upon it the powerful influence of 
a correct public sentiment. We can prevent its exten- 
sion. We can withdraw from it the countenance and 
support of the general government, and thus prevent 
the reopening of the infamous African slave trade, 
which is now so seriously threatened. We can prevent 
wars of conquest for the purpose of extending its area. 
In short, by united, earnest and persevering effort we 
can restore the country to its earlier and purer faith 
and purpose, that 'Freedom should be national, and 
slavery, if it existed at all, should be sectional.' 

"There have been other serious departures from the 
original principles and purposes of the government, 



272 REMINISCENCES 

which demand our serious attention. I can only glance 
at some of these. Corrupt men of all parties have been 
elevated to places of trust and responsibility. The 
standard of our national morality has often been low- 
ered in our intercourse with other nations. We have 
not always kept in view the great, fundamental prin- 
ciples of freedom and equality, which it is our especial 
mission to preserve and perpetuate. We have often as a 
nation disregarded and violated the immutable princi- 
ples of justice, which no nation or people may violate 
with impunity. Intoxicated with the consciousness of 
our power and greatness, we have too frequently for- 
gotten that 'The Lord, God, Omnipotent reigneth,' and 
that His smiles and His protection are just, as neces- 
sary for our preservation now as for the preservation of 
our fathers when He led them through the danger and 
peril and darkness of the Revolution to victory and in- 
dependence. 

"The length to which my remarks have extended 
admonishes me that I must bring them to a close. A 
few additional remarks upon our duty as American 
citizens, and I am done. 

"The institutions of freedom founded by our fath- 
ers, have descended to us, not only to be enjoyed by us 
but to be preserved, enlarged, improved, and finally to 
be transmitted unimpaired, strengthened and perfected, 
to our posterity. W^e have but a life estate in them, it 
is true, the reversionary interest being in our children 
and our children's children to the remotest ages; but we 
are now the stewards of this precious inheritance, and 
upon us rests the solemn responsibility of preserving it 
inviolate and intact for the benefit of those who are to 
succeed us on the stage of action. 

"This responsibility is not confined to our posterity, 
or to those who may hereafter live beneath the flag of 
our own country. It extends to all mankind; for the 



OF THE CIVIL WAR 273 

principles of true liberty which we profess, if fully il- 
lustrated and carried out in our individual and national 
life, will in due time radiate throughout the whole 
earth, carrying with them destruction to tyranny and 
deliverance to the oppressed, elevating and ennobling 
humanity, and beautifying the world. 

"All mankind then are deeply interested in this 
sacred trust. And when impartial history shall have 
recorded the manner in which we have discharged its 
sacred obligations, the verdict of the world will be ren- 
dered upon our acts. 

"But the true patriot requires no such considera- 
tion as this to prompt him to his duty. To him freedom 
is a living, practical reality, and he loves it for its own 
sake. He loves it because he knows that the enjoyment 
of it is the only condition adapted to man's greatest 
prosperity and happiness, and to his highest moral and 
intellectual development. 

"He has a burning desire that everything which 
interferes with its full, complete and perfect enjoyment 
be swept away, and that all kindreds and people and 
nations and tongues should speedily become the recipi- 
ents of its blessed influences. And when, with some- 
thing akin to prophetic vision, he looks into the future 
and obtains a glimpse — faint though it may be — of the 
peace and glory and happiness ineffable that shall reign 
over all the earth when the triumphs of freedom shall 
be consummated, his soul yearns for its speedy ac- 
complishment and the sublime invocation of the poet 
Heber, though upon another theme, expresses the swell- 
ing emoMons of his heart : 

" 'Waft, waft, ye winds, the story 

And you, ye waters, roll; 
'Till, like a sea of glory. 

It spreads from pole to pole.' 



« 



274 REMINISCENCES 

"And these sentiments and aspirations, stirring the 
very depths of his soul, become vital, permanent prin- 
ciples of action, and prompt him to the faithful and un- 
tiring discharge of a patriot's duty. 

"So may it be with us! So may it be with every 
American citizen ! May the contemplation of these sub- 
jects, and a just appreciation of the solemn obligations 
of American citizenship, sink deep into our hearts! 
With a zeal that knows no change, with a courage that 
never falters, and a faith that knows no doubts, with 
united heart and purpose, by every instrumentality 
within our reach, by fostering education, by promoting 
virtue, by encouraging industry, and above all by the 
proper use of a freeman's peaceful but all-powerful 
weapon, the ballot, let us labor to purify our own insti- 
tutions from every taint of oppression and wrong and 
corruption, and for the triumph of freedom throughout 
the world. 

"Let us labor to hasten the coming of that auspici- 
ous day when the patriot's work shall be done, when 
wrong and oppression shall cease, and the whole earth, 
purified, redeemed and free, shall rejoice in the glorious 
sunlight of liberty forever." 



1/^ • 

BD- 124. 






?.* / \ Ww.' '^^ '^^ ' 

0^ 






.s^"^ \ 












A 










'^^^ 








,/.:. 






^ %. '^'>'"> ^^ ^ "^ <^^ 
















°o 










0^ 



aP ^-Vl', ^ "^ *• 






^-S^^ 

^'% 









^*% 



DOBBSBROS. 'T, T" A <* ^T^vT* f**" AD 'o . » * A <*^ *•' 

A o ° " " -» <^ O^ . "^ ' • ♦ *0 A*- " " " ♦ -*>> 




